as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foiled
Their murderous plot is foiled when two escaped prisoners and a guard crash the weekend.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
Just four months ago, another plan to strike at New Orleans residents was foiled by law enforcement.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Bournemouth scored twice, but so many attacks were foiled by the Netherlands defender.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
After the Wild killed their first penalty of the playoffs, a near-perfect opportunity to double the lead came late in the first when Danila Yurov got open in front of Oettinger but was foiled by a left toe save.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
Just four months ago, another plan to strike at New Orleans residents was foiled by law enforcement.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Bournemouth scored twice, but so many attacks were foiled by the Netherlands defender.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
After the Wild killed their first penalty of the playoffs, a near-perfect opportunity to double the lead came late in the first when Danila Yurov got open in front of Oettinger but was foiled by a left toe save.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
Verb
-
Although he will get booed whenever the Cubs return to his hometown to face the Milwaukee Brewers, his body of work there (707-625) helped set a solid foundation for the small-market franchise that has continually frustrated its big-city rival.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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The letter was about a 50-year-old who was frustrated that a 70-year-old friend didn’t pick up the phone when called.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earlier, in 1983, a plot by the IRA to bomb a Duran Duran concert at the Dominion Theatre with the intention of targeting then Prince Charles and Princess Diana was thwarted.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
30 Apr. 2026
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ plans to upend childhood vaccination requirements continues to be thwarted by his fellow Republicans.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The court issued a ruling that limits consideration of race in drawing voting maps — potentially a boon for Republicans, who have been hampered by the civil rights law in their attempt to redraw maps in Louisiana, Alabama and other states.—
Matthew Choi,
Washington Post,
30 Apr. 2026
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Connor McDavid looked ordinary at best, clearly hampered by his injury.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His gift is an uncanny ability to solve crimes that leave the LAPD baffled, armed only with the savvy and dry humor reminiscent of the gumshoe detectives of the noir genre.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
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During our overnight coverage on CNN, Jim Sciutto pointed out that people watching in other countries are baffled by this American attribute.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Atletico earned a spot in the final four courtesy of a quarter-final victory against Spanish rivals Barcelona, while Arsenal defeated Portuguese side Sporting CP.—
The Athletic Live Team,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Huarte defeated Woodbridge senior Brady Tallakson 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the CIF boys final at Libbey Park to capture the title one year after falling in the championship match.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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