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
Officials said no foul play was suspected and the investigation was concluded.
—
Stepheny Price , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Officials said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Jeremiah Kelly, 18, was found dead on April 22 inside his on-campus residence and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office did not find evidence of injury or foul play when its staff performed an autopsy, officials said in an April 28 news release.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
When asked by Dateline in a follow up email whether authorities believe Jonathan may have been kidnapped, O’Keefe reiterated that there is no evidence of foul play in the case.
—Nicolás Viñuela, NBC news, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Stepheny Price , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2025
Officials said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
Jeremiah Kelly, 18, was found dead on April 22 inside his on-campus residence and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office did not find evidence of injury or foul play when its staff performed an autopsy, officials said in an April 28 news release.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
When asked by Dateline in a follow up email whether authorities believe Jonathan may have been kidnapped, O’Keefe reiterated that there is no evidence of foul play in the case.
—Nicolás Viñuela, NBC news, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
He was sentenced to death in Idaho in 2024 after being convicted of murder in the deaths of Tylee, JJ and his ex-wife, Tammy Daybell.—
Jenna Sundel
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
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The two had been convicted in 2006 of first-degree murder in the deaths of Jonathan Gleason, 17; Michelle Nathan, 19; Erin Belanger, 22; Roberto Gonzalez, 28; Francisco Ayo Roman, 30; and Anthony Vega, 34.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
Researchers and experts cite many reasons for this, including the rise of gun violence, food insecurity, and health care accessibility.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
14 July 2025
-
Coming from Nigeria's predominantly Muslim north, Buhari campaigned on promises to eliminate extremist violence, particularly from Boko Haram, and to combat the rampant corruption that had plagued Africa's largest economy.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The victim, 66-year-old Eugene Allen, was discovered by residents around 4:30 p.m. During the investigation, homicide squad detectives identified Nieves Reyes as a suspect in the man’s death.—
Theodore Parisienne,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
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If anyone has information about Damian Ward’s death, the Prince George’s County Police Department said a homicide detective can be reached by calling at 301-516-2512.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Those able to donate blood can sign up via the American Red Cross or the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
-
While the bubonic plague affects lymph nodes, septicemic plague affects the blood.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Hall, of course, plays Dexter Morgan, a Miami police forensics specialist who delivers his own brand of justice with his serial killing ways.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
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Investigators said the man exhibited mental health issues before the girls' killings, according to the court papers.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 28 Jul. 2025.
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