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
  • After his death, Bob’s became the de facto location for fans needing to pay homage to the beloved director, piled high with tributes of cigarettes, cans of Coke, donuts, slices of pie and tear-stained letters of gratitude.
    — Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Clean the bowl with a toilet brush and cleaner once or twice a week to prevent mineral deposits from staining the toilet bowl.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of stain
Verb
  • The only appropriate response to the industry’s rush to build costly, polluting gas plants at the sites of data centers is a pause in development and enactment of new policy guardrails, designed in close consultation with affected communities.
    — John Kostyack, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • This large mass will translate into higher quantities of polluting propellant needed to loft these systems off Earth and a much larger amount of metals vaporizing in Earth's atmosphere during reentry.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of pollute
Verb
  • Timber Fire Monterey County’s Timber Fire burning near Big Sur has blackened nearly 2,500 acres since its start Monday afternoon and is 5% contained.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The old silver and gold shops, their facades blackened by time, were gone.
    — Lina Sergie Attar, Time, 6 Aug. 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
  • When To Wash Sheets In Hot Water Washing sheets in hot water every time isn’t necessary for linens that are lightly soiled—think no sweaty nights or sickness.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Brazzale says patients who are declining may worry about soiling themselves, losing their dignity, or being moved out of their home at the end.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • But a second straight dud season would really muck things up.
    — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • 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
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 20 Aug. 2026.

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