1
as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the suspect has a long history of foul play, and was once convicted on assault and battery charges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foul play
The son told the Times there were no signs of foul play or mechanical failure.
—
The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Investigators do not suspect foul play, and the vehicle, which had plenty of gas, showed no signs of mechanical failure.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 June 2026
The child's death remained under investigation on Friday, but police said foul play is not suspected.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Although a cause of death was not confirmed, police do not suspect any foul play as of this writing.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
The Sacramento Bee, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Investigators do not suspect foul play, and the vehicle, which had plenty of gas, showed no signs of mechanical failure.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 June 2026
The child's death remained under investigation on Friday, but police said foul play is not suspected.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Although a cause of death was not confirmed, police do not suspect any foul play as of this writing.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
Matos is charged with murder, carjacking, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
Directed by Hong Kong’s Frankie Tam, the film draws on Hong Kong’s first murder case solved entirely through forensic evidence and without eyewitness testimony.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
South African and Malawian authorities have been coordinating in recent weeks to facilitate the repatriation of thousands of Malawian citizens gathered at the site in Durban, claiming to flee anti-migrant tensions and fears of violence.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
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The attack on James came in the midst of a sharp rise in anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa in recent months, when there have been marches calling for immigrants in the country illegally to leave and reports of violence against some foreign nationals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Six homicide convictions There have been six homicide convictions in the seven fentanyl murder cases Gire’s prosecutors have filed since February 2022.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
-
Riverside County homicide investigators have announced two arrests in connection with a homicide in May that left a 47-year-old man dead.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Events like Saturday's Sickle Cell Awareness Walk, part of Ypsilanti's Juneteenth celebration, aim to raise even more awareness of the importance of blood donations for sickle cell warriors.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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One image shows Anthony's hands cuffed following the deadly incident while sitting in the back of a police vehicle with what appears to be blood on his left hand.—
Louis Casiano , Stepheny Price , Brooke Taylor , Jasmine Baehr , Brie Stimson , Kelsie Cairns , Reagan Schroeder,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The killing of the Montreal police officer is the first death in the line of duty in the city in decades, Dagher said.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
About a week after Kirk’s killing, Benjamin observed a minute of silence in his honor at the end of an assembly, which was followed by an invitation to gather at a flagpole and pray.—
Eliza Griswold,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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