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
According to the lawsuit, the school indicated that the principal and assistant principal were suspicious of foul play after an entire class was found sleeping during the middle of the day consistently for at least six weeks before the whistleblower came forward.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Digwa, 23, was convicted of murder for stabbing Nowak with an 8-inch (21 centimeter) Sikh dagger and sentenced this week to life in prison with a minimum 21-year term.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
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Jenny’s murder strengthens her resolve.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 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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However, a subsequent investigation ruled out drowning as the cause of death and determined the toddler’s death was a homicide, prosecutors said.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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The Sacramento Police Department announced on Tuesday that investigators secured a homicide arrest warrant for an additional suspect, saying that a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody and booked into juvenile hall.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Noun
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In another video published by B’Tselem capturing the moments after the incident, Sam’s father can be seen standing by the car, cradling his baby, whose bright yellow clothing can be seen stained with blood.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The White House said swelling around the ankles was due to chronic venous insufficiency or CVI, which occurs when leg veins fail to send blood back to the heart properly, and the bruising on the back of his hand was caused by frequent handshaking and aspirin.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Fisher was convicted of first-degree murder and was serving life without parole in a 1996 killing, according to court and prison records.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
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An 18-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced Friday to life in prison for his role in the brutal killing of a 5-year-old Milwaukee boy whose disappearance later led to changes in state law.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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