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

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
Barnstable hit two foul shots with 16 seconds left for a two-possession lead and the Golden Hurricane held on. —ABC News, 13 Mar. 2026 The other thing is the foul issue, and specifically with Marta. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
There are few girls who can stop her inside without fouling. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2026 But Florida caught a break when officials missed guard Urban Klavzar stepping out of bounds while passing to Boogie Fland (who Kentucky subsequently fouled). —Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 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
  • On the phone, Miranda admits she’s known for a week, but agrees that what Shinia did was disgusting.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The litter box was still disgusting.
    — Jennifer Wolfgram, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • The former ambassador leaves the post after a turbulent, combative year at the arts institution.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Multiple sources have indicated the Aztecs won’t accept either and instead get started on what figures to be a turbulent offseason.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • The probes, which will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, aim to identify unfair trade practices, particularly structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The company was also accused of fabricating unfair charges when renters moved out, resulting in consumers paying improper fees for normal wear-and-tear, damage that happened before move-in and renovations.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • And for a while, Chase was like spending kind of obscene amounts of money like recycling the metal and the thing.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • An investigation by the Bakersfield Police Department also led to separate charges citing Mays for possession of more than 600 images of youth or child pornography and distribution of obscene matter involving someone younger than 18.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Her jeans are filthy; her blonde hair hangs in loose, greasy strings; bruises speckle her thin arms, and there’s a patch of blood above her right eye.
    — Outside, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Allegations of betting on suicide Like other detainees, Ramsingh said that between cleanings, the rooms, restrooms and showers were often filthy and infested with insects.
    — Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 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
  • The copper-mining industry has so polluted the town that its air stinks and its mountains are covered in black ash.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Prices are higher in the Golden State because of higher taxes and stricter requirements for cleaner, more expensive gas that pollutes less.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of putative

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

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

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

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
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
book-magic-glow
Famous Novels, First Lines Quiz Can you identify these novels by their famous fir...
See All