as in frustrating
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
as in thwarting
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in deterrence
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiling
Adjective
-
What makes this reversal not just baffling but dangerous is its context.—
Lynn Northcutt Vega,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 2025 -
Here’s the most baffling part of the Republican budget bill, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) writes in an op-ed for The Washington Post.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
With Iran's military battered from an intense 12-day war with Israel that also involved direct U.S. intervention, China is emerging as top candidate to provide advanced weaponry that could help Tehran reestablish deterrence as tensions continue to simmer across the Middle East.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
-
In a world of weaker nuclear deterrence, governments must take deliberate steps to de-escalate tensions.—
Carter Malkasian,
Foreign Affairs,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Any company found to be frustrating the cancellation process could face significant fines—perhaps more than $50,000 per violation.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
31 July 2025
-
Cook’s all-too-brief career is perhaps the most frustrating what-if in Cincinnati sports history.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
And Value Chains: Companies reducing costs and emissions can gain market share, providing financial support for carbon neutralization.—
Morten Johansen,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
The very resources that had not been brought to bear on Hamas, thus enabling the disaster of October 7, achieved the neutralization of Hezbollah within weeks.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Another friend from college, Andrew Huang, joined at the last minute for the crossing between Mexico and the Marquesas to provide another set of eyes and hands on deck.—
Terry Ward,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
Since opening, the bridge has seen increasing traffic, and witnessed its 100 millionth crossing in June 1998.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Immunizations not only protect individuals but also help to protect the broader community by preventing the spread of the virus, the release stated.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Immigration attorneys and civil rights advocates have sharply criticized many of these facilities for mistreating migrants and preventing them from properly defending their cases.—
Eric Levenson and Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In that case, however, Anand managed to secure a checkmate after 29 days of play.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
21 May 2025
-
In the second, Eze again ceded the advantage, but ruthlessly capitalised on a costly blunder with a rapid-fire checkmate to seal the win and the tournament.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
The case stemmed from a Groveland police officer in September 2020 stopping a Lyft car for speeding and tag lights that weren’t working.—
Jim Saunders,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Jan. 2025
-
What’s stopping organizations from reaping the benefits of AI right now?—
Jesse Todd,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Foiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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