1
as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the suspect has a long history of foul play, and was once convicted on assault and battery charges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foul play
Victoria's official cause of death has not yet been released, but NBC Bay Area reported that foul play is not suspected.
—
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Citing law enforcement sources, NBC Bay Area also reported that the deceased woman found in a hallway of the hotel was believed to be Jones and that police did not suspect foul play.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Investigators have not found evidence of foul play, but the incident remains under investigation, officials said.
—Mark Price
january 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
The sheriff's office previously said Olmos had a history of suicidal ideation and depression, noting there were no signs of foul play.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 2 Jan. 2026
Citing law enforcement sources, NBC Bay Area also reported that the deceased woman found in a hallway of the hotel was believed to be Jones and that police did not suspect foul play.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Investigators have not found evidence of foul play, but the incident remains under investigation, officials said.
—Mark Price
january 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Jan. 2026
The sheriff's office previously said Olmos had a history of suicidal ideation and depression, noting there were no signs of foul play.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
The number of killings investigated last year fell to 67, with 57 of those categorized as murders — excluding cases such as justifiable homicides — a total not seen since 1967, according to data compiled by this news organization.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Jackson, who famously won an acquittal in the murder trial of Karen Read and represented disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein, did not explain his decision to withdraw from the case.—
Matt Gutman,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The numbers mark a sharp reversal from a spike in violence during the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact KCPD homicide unit detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
-
More information about homicides is available from The Sun’s homicides database.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Not to mention the titular bugs, a swarm of blood-invading creatures discovered by her new lover, the mysterious drifter Peter Evans (Namir Smallwood).—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Movies themselves are often the thing that keep your brain ticking, your heart pumping, that keep the oxygen in your blood to keep you fit as much as going to any gym.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Several hundred people gathered in downtown Dallas on Thursday evening to protest the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by an ICE agent the day before.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The action was in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good, 37, who was shot while in her vehicle by an ICE agent conducting arrests in a residential area of Minneapolis.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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