1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a foul taste that made us gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
the foul fumes from the paper mill
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dirty
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
industrial pollution fouling the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul
Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Davidson’s condition, which leads him to make foul-mouthed outbursts, was barely understood at the time and was the source of misunderstandings, bullying, and harassment.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Despite multiple opportunities to close out the game, the Rockets fell 125-124 in double overtime after superstar Kevin Durant fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with roughly two seconds left, allowing two made free throws that handed the Thunder the win.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
The ball appeared to deflect off a television sound man along the low retaining wall in foul territory before caroming into shallow right field.
—Beth Harris, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Davidson’s condition, which leads him to make foul-mouthed outbursts, was barely understood at the time and was the source of misunderstandings, bullying, and harassment.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
With the Rockets up one, Durant fouled Gilgeous-Alexander with two seconds left, picking up his sixth personal foul and exiting the game.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Despite multiple opportunities to close out the game, the Rockets fell 125-124 in double overtime after superstar Kevin Durant fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with roughly two seconds left, allowing two made free throws that handed the Thunder the win.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
-
That would probably be the most disgusting kind.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … 'DISGUSTING' – Jen Psaki jokes Usha Vance scared of her husband, ripped for 'disgusting' comments.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With those turbulent waters somewhat behind us, the ones under the ship claim another victim, and poor Britani runs off to throw up over the side of the boat.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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This election will likely be remembered as a beacon during a turbulent sea of democratic backsliding, restoring the values of a city which was built on immigrant innovation and an ethos of inclusion.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Some of his artists have challenged their contracts as unfair, sparking broader debates about industry practices.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Both also often lead to litigation in federal court and the filing of unfair labor practices charges with the NLRB.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Beside one of those blandly obscene bidets.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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But the show avoided an FCC probe as the West Coast delay was censored, and the East Coast broadcast aired after the 6am-10pm window during which obscene content is prohibited on broadcast TV and radio.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Four plays, 76 yards, in 25 stinking seconds.—
David Aldridge,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
Adjective
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Jackson Lamb has long, greasy hair and a pot belly over which hangs a filthy old trench coat.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
20 Oct. 2025
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On the other end, Ja’Marr Chase is coming off an absolutely filthy touchdown grab last Sunday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The ashes from the crematorium chimney covered the streets, sooted the rain, dirtied the snow, damaged the crops, infected every body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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At Dilara Findikoglu, models looked like ladies in waiting that had risen from the dead; wearing antiquated corsetry that was dirtied and torn.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If it’s harvested from an area that’s been polluted, there’s a possibility it could be contaminated with unsafe minerals like mercury or arsenic.—
Caroline C. Boyle,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In contrast to polluting polyester, these fibers are biodegradable and will naturally decompose after disposal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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