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
-
And surely enough, the club’s focus soon turns away from their increasingly baffling cold case and onto a more pressing one.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025 -
This is undoubtedly one of the most baffling mysteries of all time, and there is a purist sense of absolute joy and satisfaction in solving it.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Visa bans affecting nationals from 19 countries add another layer of complexity and deterrence.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
What does work is jail time; deterrence is the key to a safe society and the cornerstone of every law.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But the most frustrating point among them is the argument shared by several critics and a wider collection of the audience that the film doesn’t have a deeper meaning and is ultimately about nothing.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
-
With airport handlers worldwide managing 26 million bags each year, few travel inconveniences are more frustrating than arriving without your luggage.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Aug. 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
-
Israel has controlled all Gaza border crossings since seizing the Palestinian side of Rafah in May 2024.—
Samy Magdy,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Since taking office, Trump has dramatically reduced southern border crossings and ramped up deportations.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
19 Aug. 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
-
Yes, the Phils nabbed a checkmate closer (Jhoan Duran).—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
In that case, however, Anand managed to secure a checkmate after 29 days of play.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
After stopping the vehicle, Jackson reportedly ran from the car with a gun in his hand, according to court records.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2025
-
It can also be caused by significant stress, surgery, or stopping birth control pills.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Jan. 2025
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.
Cite this Entry
“Foiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiling. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share