befoul

verb

bi-ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce befoul (audio)
Definition of befoulnext
1
as in to stain
to make dirty unsightly mud and slush befouls the family car every winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable the enemy had befouled the water in all of the area's wells with animal carcasses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of befoul They should not be thrown, jumped off, eaten, screamed at, or otherwise befouled. — Eddie Small, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026 The natural world may be past saving, particularly as a habitat for the species that has so utterly befouled it, and, yet, what else is there to do but keep on keeping on? — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 Capitalism is degrading us, killing us and befouling our world. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 8 June 2023 This roman à clef series begins with the patriarch of the Roy clan, Logan (Brian Cox), urinating on a carpet (evoking The Big Lebowski, befouling us). — Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for befoul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befoul
  1. stain
  2. pollute
  3. blacken
  4. dirty
  5. sully
  6. besmirch
  7. soil
  8. muck
Verb
  • The only part of her person not stained are the white circles around her eyes.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
  • Drinking water after coffee can help reduce acidity and wash away staining compounds.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 10 July 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • Another study, published in Nature, found that Canadian wildfires in 2023, when more than 43 million acres burned, generated more emissions than the burning of fossil fuels in all but the three most-polluting countries.
    — Joshua Partlow, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
  • The same river that was savagely polluted by the mining industry, devastating the ancestral oasis of Quillagua.
    — Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026
Definition of pollute
Verb
  • Large sections of the ceiling were destroyed, blackened and charred, while the floor and tables below, some still with beer bottles on them, were blanketed in ash and debris.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Pictures shared on social media after the fire was extinguished showed chairs and tables inside the pub completely charred and blackened, with parts of the ceiling peeling off.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of blacken
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • The film hinges on a small moment that not only sullies the trip but leads her character to reconsider her understanding of her father.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 17 July 2026
  • Such shenanigans are more or less expected, and certainly haven’t forever sullied the American soccer fan base, at least here at home.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Definition of sully
Verb
  • In her response, Hajdini cast Rana as manipulative and deceitful, intent on ruining her life and besmirching her employer through his sensational accusations.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
  • Bryna Laub, editor of Daytime Serial Newsletter, felt the show besmirched the sanctity of soaps and contributed to the broader currents of shame surrounding the genre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Definition of besmirch
Verb
  • Before shaking the queen’s hand, Moore carefully wiped the sweat and mud from his hands and jersey so as not to soil the queen’s white gloves.
    — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 15 July 2026
  • Sacramento argued in court that most of her items were soiled and therefore garbage.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • The Socceroos will try their best to muck it up and play a very defensive brand of soccer against America, while also boasting a great goalkeeper in Matthew Ryan.
    — Austin Perry, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
  • But Ehlers has given Carolina a newfound level of offensive depth, especially given he’s meshed surprisingly well with Jordan Staal and Jordan Martinook, two veteran checkers who have been mucking and grinding for years on a team that does that better than anyone.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Definition of muck

Browse Nearby Words

before long
befoul
befouled
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Cite this Entry

“Befoul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befoul. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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