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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

foul

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Such an arresting combination mirrored Galen's instructions for masking the odors of certain foul-smelling medicines. —Ari Daniel, NPR, 19 Feb. 2026 Only upon Gates’ appeal of the initial foul call was the infraction upgraded to a flagrant 1 offense. —Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
Midway through the third quarter Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. —CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 The Heat was then forced to intentionally foul Sensabaugh, who made both free throws to push the Jazz’s lead to four points and seal the win. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 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
  • Just last week the president tweeted a vile and disgusting image of President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and refuses to apologize.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
  • So the disgusting attempt to rewrite history – won’t help.
    — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Though the region of the Milky Way called the Galactic Center is expected to be replete with pulsars, spotting them is challenging because of how extreme, turbulent, and densely packed the heart of our galaxy is.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 21 Feb. 2026
  • It’s been a turbulent few years for Ubisoft.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • According to a release, the staff union called for an unfair labor practice strike on Tuesday afternoon, alleging management has shown no intention to come to an agreement on the pending contract.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • One thing that Mamdani should do on property taxes is push to reform the crazy quilt and unfair system.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • His night ended amid a storm of laughing students and obscene gestures.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • However, that approach might convince possible free agent targets (say Green’s Bay’s Malik Willis) to look elsewhere, unless the money Miami’s offering is obscene, and far exceeds another franchise.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of obscene
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
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • So open to the skies, and filthy.
    — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
  • This neighborhood, peopled almost entirely by the people who claim to have been driven from Poland and Russia, is the eyesore of New York and perhaps the filthiest place on the western continent.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Japan, one of the world's top carbon emitters, plans to ship emissions from its heavily polluting industries –– spanning electric power, oil refining, cement, shipping and steel –– to Malaysia within the next few years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • All the money in the world isn’t going to save you when the air is polluted and the water is undrinkable.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
Definition of pollute

Phrases Containing foul

Browse Nearby Words

fought shy of
foul
fouled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on foul

Nglish: Translation of foul for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foul

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

Why is the letter ‘Z’ associated with sleeping?

How long is a jiffy?

When do we paint the town red?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 3

Why is the letter ‘Z’ associated with sleeping?
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
vector art of man ready to cut messy balls of thread with scissors
Commonly Confused Words Quiz Vol. 2 A quiz to (peak/peek/pique) your interest.
See All