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
The attorney has pushed back on growing public speculation, arguing that without finding Lynette, conclusions about foul play are premature.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Her cause of death has not been released, but investigators said there were no initial signs of foul play.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Richard Cook, team leader with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, told PEOPLE foul play isn't suspected.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Investigators do not suspect foul play.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Her cause of death has not been released, but investigators said there were no initial signs of foul play.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Richard Cook, team leader with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, told PEOPLE foul play isn't suspected.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Investigators do not suspect foul play.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
Ernest attempts to identify which of the hostages is guilty of the murder and the attempted heist.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Two men were found guilty Saturday night in the murder of a Highland Park man, who was beaten to death in a 2022 fight along the Lake Michigan shoreline.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Esther says Kim told her that, at times, that need for control boiled over into violence.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Emmline Toussaint, main coordinator of Mary’s Meals' BND school-feeding program in Haiti, said that gas stations in some regions are selling fuel 25% to 30% higher than even what the government stipulated because of gang violence and difficulties with trucks trying to access certain areas.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department detectives have launched a homicide investigation after a man's body was found in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant early Monday morning.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Quigley’s blood alcohol content information was not public record until it was compelled by a judge in January of this year as part of discovery in a civil lawsuit.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Try Natural Deterrents Castor oil, used kitty litter, cayenne powder, human hair, blood meal, and predator urine sprays are all commonly used to repel groundhogs.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by the espionage novel by Dan Fesperman, Safe Houses is set in the aftermath of the killing of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
-
D4vd has been charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday, April 20.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
