FOUL PLAY Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

foul play

noun

Definition of foul play

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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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 Hawaii County Police Chief Reed Mahuna said foul play wasn't suspected. — Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Police said a preliminary investigation had not indicated any signs of foul play. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Preliminary findings have not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances, police said, according to WHNS. — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026 The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play

Noun

Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Hatami has spearheaded a number of high-profile cases against child abusers in Los Angeles, California, including the murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez, who was tortured and killed by his mother and her boyfriend.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of murder

Noun

By retracing Berezovska’s footsteps, finding witnesses and hearing from one of the men accused of killing her, CNN has uncovered a tale of violence, strange twists and unanswered questions.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Lúcia added the Maria da Penha law needed updating because violence against women in Brazil is also a matter of power and as many femicides take place out of women’s homes in situations that are reported to police but ignored.

— Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

The Milwaukee Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy, and said Hernandez-Lopez’s cause of death was listed as a gunshot wound to the neck and the manner of death was homicide, according to the complaint.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Anyone with information, video, or photos that could help investigators were asked to contact the police department's homicide unit at 3150-238-3821.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of homicide

Noun

Someone with gestational hypertension will need more frequent monitoring, which may include home blood pressure measurements, blood and urine tests, and additional monitoring of fetal growth and well-being.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Crude is the country’s life blood, accounting for as much as 98% of the country’s exports.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of blood

Noun

Diddy, who has repeatedly denied any connection to Shakur’s killing, is now in prison on unrelated charges.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
How the killing unfolded Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi detailed the timeline of the investigation during a news conference on Thursday night.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of killing

Browse Nearby Words

foulness

foul play

fouls

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of foul play

noun

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