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
• begrimed
• polluted
• contaminated
• mired
• daubed
• smirched
• distained
• gaumed
• bemired
• tainted
• defiled
• discolored
• disarranged
• draggled
• disordered
• muddled
• confused
• 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
• disgraced
• rattled
• confused
• dishonored
• shamed
• humbled
• insulted
• debased
• demeaned
• smirched
• lowered
• chastened
• cheapened
• criticized
• sank
• abased
• took down
• diminished
• flustered
• ridiculed
• mortified
• disconcerted
• minimized
• condemned
• disparaged
• defiled
• maligned
• nonplussed
• decried
• confounded
• fazed
• discomfited
• libeled
• slandered
• discountenanced
• abashed
• detracted
• defamed
• discounted
• 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

Mbappe was then handed the opportunity to equalise for the visitors in stoppage time after Vinicius Jr was fouled, but the France international’s effort was saved by Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles. — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Leading 46-40 at halftime, the Sun went on an 8-0 run that started with a driving layup by Nelson-Ododa, who was fouled and completed the three-point play. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The moment was significant because Cunningham was the in the WNBA to stand up for Clark, the league's biggest star, who is perpetually fouled hard. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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

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

Verb

Janssen scored on a penalty kick in the 11th minute, taking the shot after Cole Bassett was fouled by Minnesota United's Morris Duggan. — CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026

Italy led by three midway through the fourth quarter and even had a chance to tie the game on the final shot where an Italian player looked like she may have been fouled. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

A day earlier, Alvarez fouled a ball off his left knee and still appeared in discomfort for the game’s first seven innings. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

New York pushed the lead to 6-3 in the eighth when Jones walked, Chisholm singled and Trent Grisham, mired in a two-for-42 slump, fouled off two bunt attempts before hitting an RBI single. — Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

The Sox thought Smith had fouled the inside pitch off his bat. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Pratt fouled off Thornton’s first pitch and then pulled back his bat on the second one, a fastball right down the middle. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026