foul 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce foul (audio)
Definition of foulnext
1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a foul taste that made us gag

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2
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions the foul weather brought out the windbreakers and rain slickers as everyone braced for a day of rough sailing

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3
as in unfair
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport an aggressive hockey player who is known for his foul play and readiness for a fight

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4
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society that movie features nonstop foul language

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5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell the foul fumes from the paper mill

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6
as in filthy
not clean I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough

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foul

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to dirty
to make dirty the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease

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2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable industrial pollution fouling the water supply

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3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes the minister was irreparably fouled by baseless rumors and allegations

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4
as in to rot
to go through decomposition unless you want to smell the organic refuse as it fouls, locate the compost heap away from the house

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foul differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foul are dirty, filthy, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

When can dirty be used instead of foul?

Although the words dirty and foul have much in common, dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When could filthy be used to replace foul?

The meanings of filthy and foul largely overlap; however, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

How is nasty related to other words for foul?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

When would squalid be a good substitute for foul?

In some situations, the words squalid and foul are roughly equivalent. However, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foul
Adjective
Marcelo Mayer made an outstanding catch that sent him sliding into the tarp in foul territory. —Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 Hunter Feduccia had an infield single, and then took second when Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson rushed a throw after fielding the grounder and sent it careening into first-base foul territory and into the Rays' bullpen. —CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
Jensen fouled off three pitches, and one of them was lined right at an EMT. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026 The kick was awarded after Gabriel Pec was fouled by Real Salt Lake midfielder Stijn Spierings. —CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
  1. disgusting
  2. turbulent
  3. unfair
  4. obscene
  5. stinking
  6. filthy
  7. dirty
  8. pollute
Adjective
  • What a disgusting story all around.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Making a disgusting joke about assassinating the President #2.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • From the transformative power of novels to raising a Black son in a turbulent era, Ward offers a deeply moving testament to resilience, storytelling, and the enduring beauty of life.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 2 May 2026
  • Much like the rest of what’s already been a turbulent season, Orlando has made this playoff series as difficult as possible.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Rich Batenburg, founder and CEO of The Clear Brands, says competitors in the marijuana industry who skirt the rules gain unfair advantages and present public health risks to patients and consumers.
    — Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
  • For the early architects, food was always political and thus, so too was food justice—a direct affront to unfair systems.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • For instance, the ruling recognized that the government’s need to protect national security might require it to prevent publication of the number and location of troops and that the primary requirements of decency might require censorship of obscene publications.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Bounds said this gives the mayor the power to intervene when a member of the public engages in obscene speech or in speech intended to incite others in the room.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Not the good, high-altitude ozone that shields us from dangerous UV light, but bad ozone, hovering right above ground level — stinking, brownish, grayish photochemical smog.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Their solution to a stinking run was, comically, to rely on less than 23 per cent of possession and pick Madrid off with a classy volley from Martin Satriano, below.
    — Phil Hay, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • Reach-in coolers that didn’t keep food safe from bacteria growth and utensils stored in filthy spots shut down a Miami restaurant after inspection last week.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Stanley dealers were not in cutthroat competition for filthy lucre.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
  • With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Water sources are often polluted through run-off from lawns that contain herbicides.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
  • As of last April, the state environmental agency was also lagging behind on inspections of polluting facilities, according to the audit.
    — Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2026
Definition of pollute

Phrases Containing foul

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fought shy of
foul
fouled
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Cite this Entry

“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foul

Nglish: Translation of foul for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foul

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