FOIL Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'foil' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle , balk , frustrate , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: When would 'baffle' be a good substitute for 'foil'?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When is 'balk' a more appropriate choice than 'foil'?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: In what contexts can 'frustrate' take the place of 'foil'?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil , frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When might 'thwart' be a better fit than 'foil'?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

foil 1 of 2

verb

ˈfȯi(-ə)l

Definition of foil

as in to frustrate

to prevent from achieving a goal in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

foil

2 of 2

noun

as in contrast

something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.

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Dissimilar Words

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How does the verb foil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle, balk, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When would baffle be a good substitute for foil?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is balk a more appropriate choice than foil?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can frustrate take the place of foil?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When might thwart be a better fit than foil?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

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 foil

Verb

Ghost Rider wound up in the Smithsonian’s collection anyway, a monument to grand ambition foiled by user error. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The terrorist plot was foiled after an FBI informant supplied the suspect with an AK-47 rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026

Noun

Fruits must be pre-cut and placed in containers, tamales wrapped in foil, elote pre-assembled in styrofoam cups. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 The cloud wallpaper makes a good photo backdrop, and so does the baroque foil wallpaper along a hallway behind the curtain. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil

Verb

Finally, while frustrated by his years of struggle and especially the hurtful impact that this impasse has had on the lives of millions of Dreamers, Durbin projects confidence that this cause will prevail.

— John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
What frustrates him most is the reflexive apology that typically accompanies the accessibility gap instead, often getting in the way of real problem-solving.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Noun

By contrast, Alzheimer’s disease typically is associated with memory and language loss, and is more associated with apathy and depression than with anxiety.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
In stark contrast to the organic, pictorial design of the Nativity Façade on the opposite side of the basilica, which depicts the birth of Jesus, Gaudí employed skeletal forms to evoke human suffering and Christ’s final days.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of contrast

Noun

Then, a fuller complement of judges on the 9th Circuit set aside the ruling from the panel and reconsidered the issue.

— Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
The show makes a festive complement to the museum’s mainstay exhibits on coal mines, trains, planes, ships, and more.

— Allison Yates, Midwest Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of complement

Verb

To me, Neil Simon’s comedy is a masterclass in the architecture of laughter, and I’ve long been baffled that this extraordinary play hasn’t received a major revival in recent years.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026
The latest weakening of criteria is baffling if not unsurprising given the agency’s pitifully weak, unserious leadership.

— Diana Urban, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of baffle

Noun

The charter currently fixes that salary at $6,000 a year, though multiple pay supplements have commissioners earning about $83,000 annually.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
The list of what the office regulates encompasses home, car, health, life to car insurance and pet insurance, as well as worker’s compensation, ride-hailing and Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of supplement

Verb

Ukrainian officials said the restrictions hampered ⁠the military’s ability to intercept Russian attack ⁠drones and forced the cancellation of some operations.

— Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
The officials said the restrictions were disrupting high-speed military drones, hampering Ukraine's ability to intercept Russian attacks and conduct operations along the front line.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hamper

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“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of foil

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