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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foiled
Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled.
—
Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
However, Paxton has struggled to enforce the Texas court’s ruling against the out-of-state doctor, foiled so far by New York’s shield law.
—Emily Brindley
health Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
However, Paxton has struggled to enforce the Texas court’s ruling against the out-of-state doctor, foiled so far by New York’s shield law.
—Emily Brindley
health Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
Verb
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Kowalsky Shapiro was a strong advocate for her daughter’s running and was frustrated by the lack of coaching and competitive opportunities for girls and women.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Pitt’s vocal online fandom has been frustrated with what some viewers see as a shift from season one to season two, with less screen time for women of color and more attention on Robby, whose behavior this season undercuts the warm, supportive mentor of season one.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Victor Lee Hawkins, 20, armed with two semiautomatic handguns, walked into the lobby of the school that afternoon, told everyone to hit the ground and tried to shoot one student but was thwarted by a malfunctioning weapon.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
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The plot revolves around the evil Dark Helmet (Moranis) and President Skroob (Brooks), who attempt to steal the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia, only to be thwarted by the hero Lone Starr (Pullman), his sidekick Barf (John Candy), and the Druish princess Vespa (Zuniga).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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An amusing film if not altogether convincing, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is protracted and exceedingly hampered by imitation.—
Gregory Nussen,
Deadline,
16 Apr. 2026
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But it has been hampered by technical and staffing issues, the Financial Times reported, with passengers in 15 countries waiting up to three hours at security.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Perry says that the label wanted to call the record 4 Non Blondes, which baffled her.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
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The Brotherly Bultema Battery of junior pitcher Maddux and sophomore catcher Nolan had the South Lake hitters baffled.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Xander Bogaerts and Bryce Johnson delivered two-out RBIs as the San Diego Padres defeated the Angels 2-1 on Sunday.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Also defeated was Vladimir Putin, who especially sought an Orbán victory to keep his firewall in the EU, where Hungary had used its power to block assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia; no longer.—
New York Daily News,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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