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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foils
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025
These vessels ride on submerged, winglike structures called foils.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
The New Mastersounds’ organist Joe Tatton, bassist Pete Shand and drummer Simon Allen provide Roberts with talented instrumental foils who can lay down one propulsive groove after another and share his penchant for crisp ensemble work.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The Bennet daughters are at the center of the story, but readers also meet their friends, foils, and rivals.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Shu Qi has spent her career embodying other people’s stories — enigmatic drifters for Hou Hsiao-hsien, comic foils in international action franchises, or, more recently, the tragic heroine of Bi Gan’s Cannes award winner Resurrection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Ask for soft, subtle highlights where they’d naturally be placed by the sun; depending on your natural base color, a gloss treatment might be more effective than foils.
—Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Sisters, in particular, influence the thoughts, opinions and actions of many of Austen’s heroines, acting as confidantes or foils.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The two men make for natural foils.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Jaeden Pinder, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
The company also redesigned its foils so the boat can run above six-foot seas.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Nov. 2025
These vessels ride on submerged, winglike structures called foils.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
The New Mastersounds’ organist Joe Tatton, bassist Pete Shand and drummer Simon Allen provide Roberts with talented instrumental foils who can lay down one propulsive groove after another and share his penchant for crisp ensemble work.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
The Bennet daughters are at the center of the story, but readers also meet their friends, foils, and rivals.
—Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Shu Qi has spent her career embodying other people’s stories — enigmatic drifters for Hou Hsiao-hsien, comic foils in international action franchises, or, more recently, the tragic heroine of Bi Gan’s Cannes award winner Resurrection.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Ask for soft, subtle highlights where they’d naturally be placed by the sun; depending on your natural base color, a gloss treatment might be more effective than foils.
—Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Sisters, in particular, influence the thoughts, opinions and actions of many of Austen’s heroines, acting as confidantes or foils.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The two men make for natural foils.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
-
It’s been said that the filibuster empowers the minority and frustrates the majority.—
The Detroit News Editorial Board,
Twin Cities,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This inconsistency frustrates drivers and reduces their confidence in public charging networks, further slowing EV adoption.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The dark chocolate hue complements most decor styles and is both trendy and timeless, plus the deep seat is supported with no-sag springs for better support.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The wide, vintage look not only complements everyday outfits with a sweater or T-shirt, but can also be worn with an elegant top and blazer to evening events.—
Katharina Fuchs,
Glamour,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Some fiber supplements are prebiotics, while others are not.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Food is more easily digested than supplements and can be easier on the stomach.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Damage to the blood-brain barrier leads to inflammation within the brain and hampers the clearance of waste products like beta-amyloid protein (seen in Alzheimer's disease).—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Take the quiz here … DUGOUT SECRETS – Mysterious wooden canoe found after Hurricane Ian still baffles experts three years later.—
,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Haynes defeats Hall in District 2 Shamaiye Haynes maintained a sizable lead over Juanrique Hall in District 2, which covers uptown and west Charlotte.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foils. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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