Synonyms of foul play

foul play

noun

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

• murder
• homicide
• blood
• killing
• slaying
• massacre
• execution
• rubout
• slaughter
• assassination
• mercy killing
• manslaughter
• destruction
• carnage
• bloodshed
• chance-medley
• decimation
• butchery
• hit
• euthanasia
• regicide
• parricide
• fratricide
• matricide
• filicide
• uxoricide
• patricide

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

• violence
• injury
• assault
• brutality
• force
• attack
• terror
• compulsion
• pressure
• battery
• damage
• coercion
• riot
• harm
• impairment
• outrage
• hurt
• constraint
• threat
• savagery
• detriment
• barbarity
• revolt
• beating
• duress
• mutilation
• whipping
• mayhem
• crippling
• shock
• fury
• pommeling
• thrashing
• smashing
• rage
• whaling
• bashing
• turbulence
• flogging
• mauling
• paddling
• clubbing
• hammering
• thumping
• pummeling
• maiming
• rupture
• pounding
• outbreak
• upheaval
• drubbing
• licking
• rampage
• onslaught
• bullying
• buffeting
• battering
• batting
• frenzy
• belting
• pelting
• lacing
• paroxysm
• bulldozing
• tumult
• cudgeling
• uproar
• bludgeoning
• walloping
• storm
• tromping
• browbeating
• socking
• hectoring
• strong-arming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviolence
• pacifism
• pacificism

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foul play

Witnesses speculated that the markings could be a sign she was strangled, raising concerns about possible foul play. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

The press conference aimed to urge law enforcement to accelerate their efforts, as the public's concerns linger about the possibility of foul play and the role of race in Wells' death. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 July 2026

The day after Wells' body was found, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said Wells' friends were cooperating with authorities and that investigators did not suspect foul play. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office told the Observer that the decision to do autopsies depends on whether police or the medical examiner suspect foul play. — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026