foul play

noun

: violence
especially : murder

Examples of foul play in a Sentence

There is no evidence of foul play. the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No further search efforts are planned for Fish Lake, and the circumstances of White's death remain officially undetermined with no evidence of foul play. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025 Ge’s death was determined to be a suicide after investigators turned up a handwritten note but found no evidence of foul play, ABC News reported, citing Pennsylvania State Police. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2025 An autopsy is planned, police said, adding there was no indication of foul play. Sara Schilling, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2025 It was not immediately known whether foul play was involved. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul play was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

foul play

noun
: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct
especially : violence sense 1
a victim of foul play

More from Merriam-Webster on foul play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!