as in frustrating
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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The claim that chess is a form of gambling was baffling, according to every chess player NPR spoke to, including Herat resident Jarallah Badghisi.—
Diaa Hadid,
NPR,
17 June 2025 -
Some baffling decisions were made that fundamentally alter not only her characterization and arc, but the very nature of the story itself.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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Unlike deterrence by punishment, which threatens consequences like economic sanctions, a strategy of denial seeks to convince an aggressor that its objectives are unobtainable, by making the likelihood of a catastrophic military defeat more credible.—
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
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What once seemed like a regional containment policy now shows the traits of a broader, irreverent deterrence doctrine—enabled by unconditional U.S. support.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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What’s more frustrating is that neither of the bracket’s two best overall performers will be proceeding on to the semifinals, and in hindsight, one of them — Acid Betty — really wasn’t given a chance.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
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The most frustrating character on The Bear continues to be Claire (Molly Gordon), whose on-screen role in Season 3 was limited, but whose importance even as an unseen force has grown and grown.—
Linda Holmes,
NPR,
26 June 2025
Noun
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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
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Similar to what refined oils go through, the tallow may need neutralization — a chemical refining process usually involving an alkaline solution that’s basically baking powder, which separates free fatty acids from the tallow.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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More than 60 students are on a waiting list for bus transportation to and from the school, Shepard said, and many live more than five miles away along routes that lack sidewalks or safe street crossings.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
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The minimum crossing altitude was listed at or above 1,380 feet msl.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Google's image processing works extremely well, lightening dark areas while also preventing blowout in lighter areas.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
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The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections, which voting rights experts say would make voting harder for tens of millions of Americans.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
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
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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
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The director led the way past Dig HQ, past the two lichen-shaggy standing stones in the garden, and down a slope to Structure 27, Tam running ahead and stopping at the edge of the trench.—
Peter Ross,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
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That means that any sudden car movements – stopping, accelerating, or turning – could cause the tires to skid on top of the snow.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
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 3 Jul. 2025.
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