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

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

Stewart was fouled a second later and again missed one of the free throws. — ABC News, 21 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 San Antonio back ahead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks had one more rally in them. — Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 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

On the next possession, Williams scored a driving layup on an assist from Burton while getting fouled to put the Valkyries up six. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Verb

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

Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time header sealed it for Argentina, with more debate over whether Mohamed Salah had been fouled in the other penalty area moments before that goal. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Kylian Mbappé made a fantastic run down the left side and into the box before he was fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, resulting in a penalty for France. — Joe Murphy, NBC news, 9 July 2026

A bit of a scuffle broke out in the 34th minute when Andrés Cubas fouled Mbappé and the Frenchman pushed him in retaliation, revealing France’s frustrations at failing to break down the South American defense. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Seattle’s Madison Curry fouled Ally Schlegel in the box, and Riley Jackson converted the penalty to put North Carolina (6-3-3) on top 2-1 in the 64th minute. — ABC News, 4 July 2026

The center fielder fouled off a pair of 1-2 pitches before sending a high cutter 403 feet to the right-field corner for his first homer since May 20. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Ohtani walked and Andy Pages was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Freeman fouled off three straight pitches before walking on the ninth pitch to bring in Freeland. — CBS News, 28 June 2026