as in frustrated
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 foiled
Kidnapping plot foiled Investigators contacted the person and disclosed the kidnapping-for-hire plot.
—
Kendrick Calfee
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Spirit Airlines collapsed over the weekend, and the carrier said the surge in jet fuel costs foiled its plans to emerge from bankruptcy midyear.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Their plan is eventually foiled, however, when Creasy is hit with a shocking development that changes everything.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The weekend, of course, was notable for an assassination attempt, foiled by quick-thinking Secret Service agents stationed outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Kendrick Calfee
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Spirit Airlines collapsed over the weekend, and the carrier said the surge in jet fuel costs foiled its plans to emerge from bankruptcy midyear.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Their plan is eventually foiled, however, when Creasy is hit with a shocking development that changes everything.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
The weekend, of course, was notable for an assassination attempt, foiled by quick-thinking Secret Service agents stationed outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
Verb
-
While many fans have questioned the sincerity of the effort that A’s owner John Fisher and MLB made to keep the A’s in Oakland, MLB officials also grew frustrated by the process.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
As Marcus spent more time mentoring his leading employees, their temperament shifted from frustrated to inspired, stirring more change in the workforce than Marcus ever could have achieved alone.—
Janine Schindler,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The plot was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift’s three performances in August 2024.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
The concert plot was thwarted, but Austrian authorities still canceled Swift's three performances in August 2024.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
But like Hulst, he was also hampered by injuries.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Clark is finally at full strength again after, hampered by a groin injury, played in only 13 games a year ago.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The footage was reposted on TikTok, and the comments were divided—some were convinced that the lyrics had a dark undertone, while others were baffled that a throwaway TikTok meme could be used as evidence in court.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
They are baffled by filmmakers who do not think more aggressively about sustainability, ownership, and business models around their work.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
DeGette has defeated primary challengers before, but this time her opponents have lined up long endorsement rosters.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
McKendree University defeated Cal State San Marcos 4-3 Sunday to eliminate the Cougars and advance to the best-of-three series to determine the NCAA Division II softball champions.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
