1
: criminal violence or murder
She is still missing, and the police now suspect that she may have been a victim of foul play. [=that she may have been murdered or harmed in some way]
There is no evidence of foul play.
2
: unfair or dishonest acts
The company's deal with the government has brought cries/accusations of foul play [=claims that there have been unfair or dishonest acts] from its competitors.
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/foul%20play. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy Citation
