Synonyms of foils

foils 1 of 2

noun

plural of foil

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

• contrasts
• complements
• supplements
• counterpoints
• correlates
• counters
• mirror images
• antonyms
• negations
• antitheses
• opposites
• inverses
• antipodes
• converses
• contraries
• negatives
• reverses
• obverses

Dissimilar Words

• synonyms
• counterparts
• analogues
• copies
• duplicates
• replicas
• carbon copies

foils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of foil

as in frustrates

to prevent from achieving a goal

in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

• frustrates
• thwarts
• hampers
• baffles
• defeats
• stops
• prevents
• balks
• beats
• hinders
• blocks
• overcomes
• checkmates
• arrests
• halts
• impedes
• discomfits
• handicaps
• bars
• stalls
• obstructs
• short-circuits
• checks
• interferes (with)
• inhibits
• holds back
• precludes
• forestalls
• obviates
• ties up
• hobbles
• clogs
• encumbers
• neutralizes
• fetters
• offsets
• averts
• shackles
• nullifies
• trammels
• conquers
• counteracts
• sets back
• negates
• manacles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advances
• encourages
• promotes
• fosters
• aids
• assists
• furthers
• cultivates
• forwards
• facilitates
• nurtures
• abets
• eases
• smooths

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foils

Noun

With the tournament a week away, the foils have swapped places. — James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Also onboard is a full arsenal of toys and tenders, including Jet Skis, e-foils, Seabobs, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, wakeboards, and a ski boat. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026

Sharing a top speed of 30 knots (35 mph / 56 km/h), the C-7 uses active flight-control software to continuously adjust its carbon-fiber foils for stability and efficiency. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

There the whole family encounters their corresponding foils from the well-off Oleson family, but Laura and Mary's encounter with young Nellie proves the most explosive. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 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, 16 June 2026

Though Boys sometimes sees Watt take searing leads reminiscent of McCartney’s ’60s and ’70s guitar foils, like George Harrison, just as often, McCartney is playing almost everything himself. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026

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

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

Verb

Xander literally split into his good and bad qualities, Faith and Buffy, already foils, swapping bodies, the Buffybot, Joan the Vampire Slayer, and so on—and doubling is of course a classic literary trope. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

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