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
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
Though his body did exhibit some markings that could have been wounds, officials at the time ruled out foul play.
—Jr Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
No foul play was suspected in Virginia Lujan's death, according to officials.
—David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
According to the release, no foul play has been identified in the years since Thompson's death and the new investigation is meant to answer any lingering questions by bringing in a fresh agency.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Jr Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Though his body did exhibit some markings that could have been wounds, officials at the time ruled out foul play.
—Jr Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
No foul play was suspected in Virginia Lujan's death, according to officials.
—David Ulloa Jr, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025
According to the release, no foul play has been identified in the years since Thompson's death and the new investigation is meant to answer any lingering questions by bringing in a fresh agency.
—Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Cody Balmer, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in a Pennsylvania courtroom to attempted murder and other charges connected to the April arson of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Bartnik was detained at the scene and ultimately charged with murder, per the release.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But Afghan-Pakistan relations have soured amid an uptick in militant violence against Pakistan.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
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Given the previous behavior of Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership, there is every chance that violence might erupt again.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Philadelphia Police Department’s homicide division is leading the investigation into Scott’s disappearance with assistance from the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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He is being held without bond after being charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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And then the English joined in, claiming that Joseph of Arimathea brought the holy grail containing the blood and sweat of the crucified Christ to Glastonbury.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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The university’s recent efforts in using real-time analysis of digital medical records to predict sepsis, a deadly blood infection, in emergency department patients have garnered significant national attention.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bilodeau was 23 at the time of Theresa’s killing and lived with his grandparents about one mile from where the girl lived and worked.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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The issue boiled over last month after the high-profile killing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail prompted state leaders to investigate the city’s transit security and spending.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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