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
Autopsy results are pending, but the sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play, Linhardt said.
—
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
No foul play is suspected, said Assistant Chief Timothy Pochran.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
At this point there is no indication of foul play, the sources added.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
No foul play is suspected, said Assistant Chief Timothy Pochran.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025
Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
At this point there is no indication of foul play, the sources added.
—Jack Moore, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Hutchinson's trial judge rejected that, instead agreeing with two prosecution psychologists and saying that no correlation between Hutchinson's diagnosis and the murders had been established, reported the Lakeland Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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After a jury was unable to reach a verdict in the initial murder trial last year, Read is being retried on charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a collision causing death.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Abby’s friends are nervous, even disgusted at this point, horrified at her capacity for violence.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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More than 1,700 people have been killed this year— 1,086 in February and March, according to the U.N. — in violence fueled by criminal groups trying to expand their territorial control and overthrow the government.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Most gun deaths are intentional, with suicides accounting for 58% and homicides for 38% of 46,728 gun deaths in 2023.—
David Yamane,
The Conversation,
1 May 2025
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Dolton, Riverdale deaths The medical examiner’s office also reported a homicide in Dolton involving a Chicago man.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
Noun
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From tracking heart rate and sleep patterns to measuring blood oxygen levels, smartwatches are helping people stay more in tune with their health than ever before.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Sexton sought a medical exemption from the vaccine mandate based on his history of blood clotting.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The homicide figures do not include killings that occurred in self-defense or in other circumstances not measured in Chicago police statistics.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
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The Senators’ defence and penalty killing played a role in those goals, but Ullmark failed to come up big in contrast to Toronto’s Anthony Stolarz.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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