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
Relevance
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
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 play
There is no indication of foul play, the official said.
—
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 3 May 2026
No foul play is suspected, sources told CBS News.
—Duarte Dias, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The Riley County Police Department told The Manhattan Mercury that there were no suspicions of foul play in Fleischaker’s death.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
While there’s still no credible evidence of any foul play or a throughline that connects these deaths and disappearances — many of the individuals appear to have died of natural causes — the list continues to grow.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Christopher Watson, ABC News, 3 May 2026
No foul play is suspected, sources told CBS News.
—Duarte Dias, CBS News, 3 May 2026
The Riley County Police Department told The Manhattan Mercury that there were no suspicions of foul play in Fleischaker’s death.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
While there’s still no credible evidence of any foul play or a throughline that connects these deaths and disappearances — many of the individuals appear to have died of natural causes — the list continues to grow.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
Jaclyn Skuce, 43, of Madison, was convicted of capital murder after hiring a man to kill the child’s father in order to prevent him from gaining custody or further visitation, the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office said.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
No remains were uncovered, but a month later, both Flores men were arrested and charged in connection with Smart’s murder.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Throughout his coaching career, Kerr has used his platform to speak out against gun violence and social injustice, among other prominent issues.—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Throughout his coaching career, Kerr has used his platform to speak out against gun violence and social injustice among other prominent issues.—
Janie McCauley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
-
The San Diego County medical examiner’s office ruled his cause of death to be asphyxia and classified the manner as a homicide.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
When blood was found on a neighbor’s garbage can, police searched the Revere Road house but found nothing.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
It also is used off-label for other kinds of ulcers and has several gynecological uses, including to induce contractions, to decrease blood loss after delivery and to treat miscarriages.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Betty never denied the killing, but said she had been driven over the edge by years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Dan.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Italy blamed Egypt for Regeni’s killing.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
