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foil

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of foil

to prevent from achieving a goal
  • In popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans.
Synonyms of foil

baffle, balk, beat, checkmate, discomfit, frustrate, thwart
Words Related to foil

bar, block, clog, encumber, fetter, hamper, handicap, hinder, hobble, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, tie up, trammel

arrest, check, halt, set back, short-circuit, stall, stop

avert, forestall, obviate, preclude, prevent

negate, neutralize, nullify

counteract, offset

conquer, defeat, overcome
Near Antonyms of foil

abet, aid, assist

ease, facilitate, smooth
Antonyms of foil

advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nurture, promote

Synonym Discussion of foil

frustrate, thwart, foil, baffle, balk mean to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal. frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.
    • frustrated attempts at government reform
thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.
    • the army thwarted his attempt at a coup
foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.
    • foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her
baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.
    • baffled by the maze of rules and regulations
balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.
    • officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Learn More about foil

  1. See words that rhyme with foil Dictionary: Definition of foil Medical Dictionary: Definition of foil Spanish Central: Translation of foil Nglish: Translation of foil for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of foil for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foil

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