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
Building a case for foul play required showing not only that the beat at North Head had a history of anti-gay violence but that Scott might have been visiting the beat in the first place.
—
Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The identities of the two boys and their cause of death were not immediately released, but foul play is not suspected, according to WFAA.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
Though his body did exhibit some markings that could have been wounds, officials at the time ruled out foul play.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
No foul play was suspected in Virginia Lujan's death, according to officials.
—David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
The identities of the two boys and their cause of death were not immediately released, but foul play is not suspected, according to WFAA.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025
Though his body did exhibit some markings that could have been wounds, officials at the time ruled out foul play.
—Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
No foul play was suspected in Virginia Lujan's death, according to officials.
—David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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The police department previously booked him into the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department High Desert Detention Center on a murder charge, which was dropped during his arraignment on Tuesday, according to ABC7.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Rephayah Oselmo is wanted by the state of New York in connection with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon, according to a news release from the Marshals Service.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yet the king hides this violence from his three sons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Yes, there’s violence, but that comes from poverty, lack of resources, and generations of neglect.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The death of 23-year-old Kada Scott has been ruled a homicide, prompting Philadelphia prosecutors to approve a murder charge Wednesday against the man arrested in her case, and her cause of death has been revealed.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For Reze Arc, every member of the production team offered up a huge amount of blood and, as a result, the movie is bursting with energy.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Doctors can clamp an intact aneurysm and stop blood flow to the bubble, restoring the blood vessel wall.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The controversial killing, which involved a barrage of 50 bullets, led to further calls for police reform and accountability.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 Oct. 2025
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He had been arrested and charged with the killing of Rene Williams.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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