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
Valerie Monroe, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026
The Australian shipyard just announced that the 100-foot Palm Beach XI has flown across the water using radical new C-foils (curved foils).
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026
Even San Francisco, long known for its tolerant drug laws, recently rolled back a program that distributed foils and pipes in an effort to encourage smoking over injection.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
The metal could appear in oversized zippers, shiny buttons, bold belt buckles or as metallic coatings and foils.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Banks created this look by topping a black polish with colorful, holographic foils.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
But in addition to their function as comedic foils, the duo also help reinforce the show’s message that friendship is another infinite resource that helps pull us through the toughest moments of our lives.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 5 Jan. 2026
New Atlas has previously reported on fast, inexpensive direct lithium extraction that could prevent supply crises, and a super-fast robotic system for dismantling EV batteries to extract lithium, cobalt, and metal foils.
—New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
In giving each of its characters new foils, the unreality of the show finally takes off.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
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
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
The Australian shipyard just announced that the 100-foot Palm Beach XI has flown across the water using radical new C-foils (curved foils).
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026
Even San Francisco, long known for its tolerant drug laws, recently rolled back a program that distributed foils and pipes in an effort to encourage smoking over injection.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Feb. 2026
The metal could appear in oversized zippers, shiny buttons, bold belt buckles or as metallic coatings and foils.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Jan. 2026
Banks created this look by topping a black polish with colorful, holographic foils.
—Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
But in addition to their function as comedic foils, the duo also help reinforce the show’s message that friendship is another infinite resource that helps pull us through the toughest moments of our lives.
—Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 5 Jan. 2026
New Atlas has previously reported on fast, inexpensive direct lithium extraction that could prevent supply crises, and a super-fast robotic system for dismantling EV batteries to extract lithium, cobalt, and metal foils.
—New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025
In giving each of its characters new foils, the unreality of the show finally takes off.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
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
-
Sports-rights fragmentation frustrates plenty of fans.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The water allocation giving priority to agriculture frustrates Everglades advocates.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Dill is an easy herb to grow and its unique anise flavor complements salads and meats and adds tang to a jar of pickles.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Canori, in his statement, added that his team has taken tremendous care working with Newport Beach and world-class architects to ensure the project complements and aligns with the vision and plan for Newport Center.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Unless her future self thwarts the plan, Steiner will mail a copy of Empty Chair to her estranged relative in hopes of reconciliation.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The collision underscores the growing battle in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean over the future of Antarctic krill, a shrimplike crustacean central to the diet of whales and critical buffer to global warming that's also in demand for use in health supplements, fishmeal and other products.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What Collagen Powder Actually Does Collagen supplements are worth a closer look too.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The blackout means that those without access to Starlink or other ways to communicate have been cut off from communicating with the outside world, which also hampers the ability of Iranians to mobilize against the ruling regime.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The move baffles health care advocates and Medicaid experts.—
Daniel Chang,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Mount predator baffles and guards to the pole or tree during installation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If Mexico defeats Italy, they are guaranteed to move on, leaving the final spot between Team USA and Italy.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Learning from losing Anthony Edwards is stealing the superpowers of whoever defeats him.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foils. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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