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
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Recent Examples of foul play
Many politicians immediately see such numbers and conclude foul play must be involved.
—
Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Simons received a straight red for a late challenge on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk in December, which met the Premier League’s ‘serious foul play’ threshold for a three-match ban.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Police said there were no indications of foul play.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 May 2026
The incident remains under investigation, but authorities do not currently believe that any foul play was involved, Thomas said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 27 May 2026
Simons received a straight red for a late challenge on Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk in December, which met the Premier League’s ‘serious foul play’ threshold for a three-match ban.
—Elias Burke, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Police said there were no indications of foul play.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 May 2026
The incident remains under investigation, but authorities do not currently believe that any foul play was involved, Thomas said.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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The murder charges came after police conferred with the Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the department said.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
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New Hampshire authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving a four-decade long murder mystery.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Nearly half of American women have suffered some form of intimate-partner violence.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
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From Saint-Marc to Thailand to Miami to Ecuador Born and raised in Saint-Marc, a port city now grappling with escalating gang violence, Adé plays center back for LDU Quito in Ecuador.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
Noun
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The killing is Kansas City’s 52nd homicide so far this year, according to The Star’s homicide database.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
2 June 2026
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Shih said detectives are investigating the fatal shooting as the city’s 10th homicide of the year.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Noun
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For example, people drinking water containing PFOS will typically have levels 50 to 100 times higher in their blood than were measured in the water.—
Carrie McDonough,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
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Among humans, Ebola spreads through contact with blood, bodily fluids or the bodies of infected people who died.—
Jane Weaver,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Front and center in that battle was Vice President JD Vance, who served as guest host of Kirk’s eponymous podcast five days after his killing.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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Patrick Randall Perry, 55, is the fourth defendant charged in the brazen May 20 killing of Berry Le’Mar Henderson, 37, near Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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