Synonyms of fouled

fouled 1 of 2

adjective

as in contaminated

Related Words

• contaminated
• polluted
• tainted
• defiled
• impure
• turned
• fermented
• corroded
• soured
• deteriorated
• disintegrated
• degenerated
• rancid
• curdled
• off
• spoiled
• sour
• crumbled
• corrupted
• decayed
• decomposed
• putrid
• rank
• rotten
• sourish
• addled
• rotting
• putrefied
• putrescent
• disintegrating
• moldy
• decaying
• decomposing
• bad
• mildewy
• gangrenous
• putrefying
• moldering

Dissimilar Words

• fresh
• good
• sweet
• undecomposed
• preserved
• untouched
• uncontaminated
• pristine
• unspoiled
• unpolluted
• untainted
• undefiled

fouled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of foul

1

as in stained

to make dirty

the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stained
• blackened
• dirtied
• messed
• soiled
• sullied
• smudged
• muddied
• mucked
• besmirched
• befouled
• grimed
• polluted
• begrimed
• contaminated
• mired
• daubed
• smirched
• distained
• gaumed
• bemired
• tainted
• defiled
• discolored
• disarranged
• draggled
• disordered
• confused
• muddled
• jumbled
• disheveled
• disarrayed
• crocked
• collied

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaned
• cleansed
• purified
• purged
• swept
• decontaminated
• wiped
• disinfected
• washed
• brushed
• rinsed
• scrubbed
• sanitized
• dusted
• mopped
• renewed
• scoured
• laundered
• brightened
• freshened
• straightened (up)
• dry-cleaned
• deodorized
• spruced (up)
• tidied (up)

2

as in polluted

to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable

industrial pollution fouling the water supply

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polluted
• poisoned
• contaminated
• tainted
• defiled
• infected
• befouled
• stained
• soiled
• sullied
• smudged
• diluted
• dirtied
• blackened
• muddied
• adulterated
• mired
• rotted
• corrupted
• besmirched
• grimed
• spoiled
• fouled up
• begrimed
• watered down
• smirched
• doctored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• purified
• cleaned
• cleared
• distilled
• cleansed
• clarified
• purged
• filtered
• decontaminated
• sterilized
• disinfected
• sanitized

3

as in humiliated

to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes

the minister was irreparably fouled by baseless rumors and allegations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliated
• discredited
• degraded
• embarrassed
• rattled
• disgraced
• confused
• dishonored
• shamed
• humbled
• insulted
• debased
• demeaned
• smirched
• criticized
• lowered
• chastened
• sank
• cheapened
• abased
• took down
• diminished
• flustered
• ridiculed
• mortified
• disconcerted
• minimized
• condemned
• disparaged
• defiled
• maligned
• nonplussed
• decried
• confounded
• fazed
• discomfited
• libeled
• slandered
• discountenanced
• abashed
• discounted
• detracted
• defamed
• castigated
• belittled
• affronted
• depreciated
• denounced
• cried down
• wrote off
• censured
• damned
• put down
• execrated
• bad-mouthed
• reprehended
• reprobated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevated
• cited
• decorated
• praised
• recognized
• honored
• celebrated
• cheered
• applauded
• deified
• exalted
• acknowledged
• congratulated
• saluted
• hailed
• complimented
• commended
• boasted
• lauded
• canonized
• feted
• touted
• extolled
• eulogized
• acclaimed
• highlighted
• aggrandized
• lifted
• played up
• promoted
• magnified
• advanced
• spotlighted
• enshrined
• raised
• ennobled
• upgraded
• uplifted
• enthroned
• boosted
• glorified
• dignified
• idealized
• romanticized
• enskied

4

as in decomposed

to go through decomposition

unless you want to smell the organic refuse as it fouls, locate the compost heap away from the house

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decomposed
• disintegrated
• rotted
• decayed
• corrupted
• molded
• spoiled
• perished
• deteriorated
• festered
• fell apart
• contaminated
• descended
• putrefied
• polluted
• crumbled
• turned
• moldered
• broke down
• went to seed
• soured
• defiled
• rusted
• tainted
• fermented
• mortified
• sank
• degenerated
• curdled
• addled
• turned off
• declined
• dilapidated
• withered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• developed
• grew
• aged
• matured
• restored
• ripened
• renewed
• purified
• refreshed
• cleansed
• improved
• composed
• integrated
• assembled
• bettered
• meliorated
• ameliorated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fouled

Adjective

Salaün had a chance to tie it after being fouled on a 3-point attempt late, but missed her last free throw of the trio. — Staff, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

In the future, more regulations may be established to turn away ships that are too heavily fouled, Tamburri said. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Niehues scored on a penalty kick in the 56th minute after a video review determined Ary Borges was fouled in the box. — Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

For example, if a player is fouled on a 3-point shot that misses, the player would shoot a single free throw worth three points. — Zach Powell, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Clark was also fouled while shooting a 3-pointer later in the second quarter. — CBS News, 25 June 2026

One minute into the 1974 World Cup final in West Germany, Holland legend Johan Cruyff was fouled in the penalty area and history was about to be made. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026

In the first quarter, Clark brought the ball up the floor and, after being fouled near the top of the key by the Dream's Jordin Canada, took a swipe at the ball in her hands. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026

Even when the comeback seemed for naught when Stephon Castle was fouled after the Knicks had taken the lead and made two free throws to put the Spurs back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them. — Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Verb

Tawa tried to bunt on the previous pitch but fouled it off, which drew plenty of criticism from the Guardians. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

The Twins also must now monitor Caratini, who fouled a pitch off his right knee on Wednesday night. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 23 July 2026

On Monday, after homering in the second inning and striking out in the third, Kuroda-Grauer was back at the dish and fouled a pitch straight into his own crotch. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026

England defender Djed Spence was fouled by France’s Malo Gusto in the box minutes later, resulting in a penalty being awarded to England. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

England’s penalty kick came after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the box. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

England wunderkind David Beckham, then 23, had been fouled by Diego Simeone and lay face-first on the field. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026

Peterson in one sequence hit a 3 to give Utah a 33-26 lead then stripped Wagler of the basketball at halfcourt, drove to the goal and was fouled by Wagler. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Bichette fouled the next two pitches off, took a way-outside Ball 3 for a full count, and fouled off Whitlock’s sixth pitch. — Gabrielle Starr, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2026