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foil

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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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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
Unfortunately for Larson, his first attempt at the feat was foiled after losing the Xfinity race at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025 The Knicks handled business with a 112-98 victory at Madison Square Garden to punch win No. 50 for the second season in a row, but the Pacers foiled their plans with a 125-120 win in Denver. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
But First … Issue The View from Here A man who solves economic crises as opposed to creating them, Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, is the perfect foil for Donald Trump By Lisa Van Dusen Barry Blitt’s Sketchbook The Shop Around the Inlet Business or Pleasure? Air Mail, 10 May 2025 Wesley Snipes is the pinnacle of undead cool as the titular daywalker, with Stephen Dorff as his perfect sneering foil. Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
Verb
  • The naming practices can frustrate efforts to track the chemicals in food, to measure how much of the stuff people are taking in, and even to figure out precisely which chemicals a scientific study evaluated, researchers said.
    David Hilzenrath, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
  • Alex Caruso, the 6-foot-5 defensive savant who spent so much of the evening frustrating the 6-11 Nikola Jokić, was the real MVP of the night (Jokić had 20 points on 5-of-9 shooting, with nine rebounds, seven assists and five turnovers).
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s welcoming of South Africa's white minority stands in contrast to Trump’s revocation of resettlement and refugee programs for hundreds of thousands of people who have fled violence and political persecution from countries like Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • In contrast, the Musical AI deal aims to give rightsholders the power to consent to AI training and to get appropriately compensated for that use.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • After a strikeout, Luis Castillo hit a foul fly that Moises Alou jumped for, only to have his efforts thwarted by a fan making a play on the ball himself.
    Steve Svekis, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
  • This is not the only recent livestock smuggling attempt thwarted at a U.S.-Mexico border crossing in California.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The Puzzle Me screen reader works as a complement to other screen reader technology.
    Robyn Weintraub, People.com, 9 May 2025
  • There were a few uncharacteristic giveaways from Scheifele, but Winnipeg should head into Game 2 with its full complement of forwards intact.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were baffled by Perry’s dancing and said the show looked cheap.
    Courtney Lane, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2025
  • The complexities of her character mirrored in her stony, resentful stare, in her grim, unforgiving mouth, will always baffle and enthrall.
    E.R. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • For personalized guidance, Wild Nutrition offers complimentary private consultations with their expert team to ensure that the supplements perfectly align with your specific postpartum needs.
    Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • And for all but four districts, the state provides additional funding for those supplements.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Coalescing capacity-building efforts, allowed to fully manifest, could provide alternatives for businesses looking to diversify away from Asia—even provide a counterpoint to China’s massive manufacturing engine.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 8 May 2025
  • And there exists a counterpoint to the securities lawsuits too.
    Karen R. King, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on foil

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