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
After Mike Miske’s death, authorities initially said there was no finding of foul play or suicide.
—
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Video assistant referee Paul Howard got in touch to recommend that Bankes review Dobson’s challenge on the pitchside monitor, as serious foul play (a straight red card offence) may have been missed.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, and no foul play was suspected.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
Video assistant referee Paul Howard got in touch to recommend that Bankes review Dobson’s challenge on the pitchside monitor, as serious foul play (a straight red card offence) may have been missed.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, and no foul play was suspected.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with their murder, accused of fatally stabbing them.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Officials identified the man as Grant Parker, who had been arrested last month on suspicion of murder.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But the new revelations of physical violence make Redzepi’s prior gestures toward amends-making feel like a lie.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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Political risk insurance is a type of coverage intended to protect firms against financial losses caused by unstable political conditions, government actions, or violence.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators learned on Tuesday that Lickhart had died from her injuries, and homicide detectives took over the case, DiMartino said.—
Nathan Pilling
March 17,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The suspect and victim in a homicide case in east Charlotte last week were dating, according to an affidavit filed in court by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.—
Ryan Oehrli,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The post included a photograph of a child’s pink backpack covered in blood and dust.—
Mahsa Alimardani,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Classical music begins with blood and guts.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Henry had been tapped by Moïse before his killing, but his naming was challenged by a number of organizations.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a photo of him ordering the killing of Larijani and Soleimani.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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