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
• assault
• injury
• brutality
• terror
• force
• attack
• compulsion
• pressure
• battery
• coercion
• damage
• riot
• impairment
• harm
• hurt
• outrage
• constraint
• savagery
• threat
• detriment
• barbarity
• duress
• revolt
• beating
• mutilation
• whipping
• mayhem
• crippling
• pommeling
• thrashing
• shock
• smashing
• fury
• bashing
• turbulence
• flogging
• whaling
• mauling
• paddling
• clubbing
• hammering
• thumping
• rage
• 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

The man is believed to be between 50 and 60 years old and appeared to have been dead less than 24 hours, Oakley said, adding that there appeared to be no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026

Oakley said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The autopsy is pending, the sheriff's office said, adding that there were no obvious signs of trauma or foul play. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Police said there does not appear to be any indication of foul play and that the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office was notified. — Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026