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

The recently-renewed forward was fouled eight times, which included a challenge from Calatrava off the ball shortly before Espanyol’s equaliser. — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 23 Aug. 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

The environmentalists said the ranchers brought in invasive plants with their feed, and that cattle fouled the soil and waterways. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Bridget Carleton blocked a shot by Copper and grabbed the rebound with 12 seconds to go, then sank two free throws for a four-point lead after Copper fouled her. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

At the end, the Liberty prevailed as the Sparks intentionally fouled to stay in the game, getting clutch makes by Ionescu. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

White faced a similar controversy when Clark also was fouled hard earlier this season, prompting a letter from the US House of Representatives to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. — CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Susac fouled a pitch right off his left knee in the bottom of the fifth and instantly fell to the ground in pain. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 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’s penalty kick came after Malo Gusto fouled Djed Spence in the box. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026