as in contrasts
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.
Related Words
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Dissimilar Words
as in frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foils
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
At this point, the foils can lose grip in the water, much like the feeling of understeer or oversteer when cornering at high speed in a car.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Plus, unlike traditional methods of coloring panels that often use 'diffusing foils' that scatter light everywhere and cause power losses of up to 50%, MorphoColor uses a precise 3D photonic structure on the glass surface designed specifically for high transmission.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026
Foiling yachts typically run software that adjusts the foils hundreds of times a second to maintain safe, level flight.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026
Since their roof scene in season, Abbot and Noah Wyle’s character have been set up as foils to each other.
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
The young cast is led by Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday, whose characters start out as foils but come to find common ground.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Highlights use foils to separate hair sections, making the overall look brighter.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
But more than a few of the pandemic's gray-pride cohort have returned to a life of foils, ammonia, and root touchups.
—Valerie Monroe, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Few passengers can show original receipts, which foils their claim.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
So give a warm welcome to The Life of a Showgirl, Swift’s 12th studio album, which foils The Tortured Poets Department in a few major ways.
—Jaeden Pinder, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
During Clark’s rookie season, the three established themselves as her foils through cheap shots, hard fouls and subtweets.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026
At this point, the foils can lose grip in the water, much like the feeling of understeer or oversteer when cornering at high speed in a car.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Plus, unlike traditional methods of coloring panels that often use 'diffusing foils' that scatter light everywhere and cause power losses of up to 50%, MorphoColor uses a precise 3D photonic structure on the glass surface designed specifically for high transmission.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026
Foiling yachts typically run software that adjusts the foils hundreds of times a second to maintain safe, level flight.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026
Since their roof scene in season, Abbot and Noah Wyle’s character have been set up as foils to each other.
—Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026
The young cast is led by Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday, whose characters start out as foils but come to find common ground.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Highlights use foils to separate hair sections, making the overall look brighter.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
But more than a few of the pandemic's gray-pride cohort have returned to a life of foils, ammonia, and root touchups.
—Valerie Monroe, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
At their elite school the students play a game like soccer during which the boys have the ball, but the witches can interfere by using their powers to make the field icy or create a wind that foils the opposition team.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
Few passengers can show original receipts, which foils their claim.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026
So give a warm welcome to The Life of a Showgirl, Swift’s 12th studio album, which foils The Tortured Poets Department in a few major ways.
—Jaeden Pinder, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foils
Verb
-
Given Moulin’s stonewalling, Barbie’s game of cat-and-mouse is going nowhere, which frustrates the hell out of him.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
-
When the cityscape frustrates urban photographers with uneven terrain or limited spaces, photographic gear company Silence Corner strikes back with the Viperpod – a hybrid tripod designed to hang anywhere in seconds for unencumbered solo shooting.—
Shirl Leigh
May 06,
New Atlas,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Other interventions, like non-surgical or surgical skin tightening procedures, can be helpful complements, too.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Best of all, these eclectic complements come in all shapes and sizes—from modern designs by contemporary artists and local artisans to collectible porcelains resold by vintage dealers.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Duncan's supporters say the attempt by a majority white conservative Legislature to eliminate Duncan's job thwarts the will of voters in New Orleans, a predominantly Black Democratic hub in a red state.—
JACK BROOK,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
Sam Houston comeback thwarts Irving Arlington Sam Houston scored three unanswered goals after trailing 2-0 in the first half against Irving on Friday night.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The practice grew beyond surgery into peptides, hyperbaric therapy, diagnostics, hormone care, supplements and recovery services.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
-
Kardashian, 45, boasted about her impressive wellness routine, which includes 35 supplements each day.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Over time, this erodes trust, hampers innovation and increases attrition.—
Kapil Jain,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.—
Ben Coxworth
May 11,
New Atlas,
11 May 2026
-
This baffles and outrages Angela, a protective mom who, with other parents, pushes back against Gabor using her math classroom as a forum for introducing the outside world’s worst actions.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Din defeats Moff Gideon in single combat, earning possession of the Darksaber.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 May 2026
-
Levin said the new policy effectively defeats the purpose of unannounced oversight visits.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foils. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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