1
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
the foul weather brought out the windbreakers and rain slickers as everyone braced for a day of rough sailing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfair
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
an aggressive hockey player who is known for his foul play and readiness for a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a foul taste that made us gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
that movie features nonstop foul language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
the foul fumes from the paper mill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in filthy
not clean
I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dirty
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
industrial pollution fouling the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the minister was irreparably fouled by baseless rumors and allegations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rot
to go through decomposition
unless you want to smell the organic refuse as it fouls, locate the compost heap away from the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 16 July 2025
His swing is quick and straight to the ball from both sides of the plate, and his power is foul pole to foul pole.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
Benjamin Pavard #28 of FC Internazionale Milano reacts as he is fouled by Lucas Ocampos #29 with Jorge Rodríguez #30 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
The other is a red panda named Bad Rudi with a penchant for foul language.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 16 July 2025
His swing is quick and straight to the ball from both sides of the plate, and his power is foul pole to foul pole.
—Jim Bowden, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
The Boston bats fouled off countless pitches, including at least half a dozen into the open windows of the press box, but the big hit eluded them.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 July 2025
Benjamin Pavard #28 of FC Internazionale Milano reacts as he is fouled by Lucas Ocampos #29 with Jorge Rodríguez #30 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
-
Sheckler and Kells have used the parallels in their turbulent journeys in the spotlight to lean on one another, making their bond stronger over the years.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
-
By unifying intelligence, manufacturers can run simulations, identify vulnerabilities, and respond proactively—protecting digital and sustainability gains even in turbulent periods.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Utility commissioners ruled in favor of power companies, which argued that older versions of the program created an unfair cost burden on customers.—
CalMatters,
Mercury News,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Union employees at Stillwater Medical Group have reached a tentative agreement with HealthPartners, just two days after voting to authorize another unfair labor practices strike.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Kruse and her co-conspirators are now on their fourth different set of lawyers in this dispute, and this is a disgusting publicity stunt by new counsel, as evidenced by the fact that the complaint and press release were sent to the press before the complaint was served.—
Michaela Zee,
Variety,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The series sets the various human and humanoid segments of its cast on a direct course with the distinctly inhuman alien flora and fauna on the ship – there are some inventive little monsters aboard, disgusting and harrowing in their own special ways – to great effect.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To authenticate Trump's note and the obscene drawing that accompanied it, Journal reporters claim to have seen the album and talked to people knowledgeable about it.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Adjective
-
Williams was downright filthy from May 7 through the end of June, posting a 1.45 ERA.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The kitten was in a sad condition: overheated, wounded, filthy, and covered in fleas and feces.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
Verb
-
As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Flea Treatment Market Is Ripe For Innovation Though safer options exist, companies should innovate to find more solutions that protect our pets without polluting the planet.—
Arlene Blum,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
The other is synthetic, manmade, utilitarian and crumbles within decades but pollutes the environment forever.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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