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

Keanu Dawes, who was fouled intentionally, missed two free throws. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

White was fouled on the play and converted the free throw for a 114-111 lead. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Pablo was fouled in the build up to Mavropanos’s equaliser, with summer signing Arne Engels providing the assist from a free kick. — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 9 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

Verb

Stokes made one of two free throws, then fouled Akira Jacobs on a 3-point basket. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

The penalty was awarded after defender Paige Nielson fouled Caiya Hanks in the penalty area in the 62nd minute. — ABC News, 1 Nov. 2026

Henderson started on 11 days’ rest and struggled as the Rays fouled off 13 of 35 pitches in the first. — Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

But Dream forward Naz Hillmon fouled Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini on a 3-point attempt and officials upgraded it to a Flagrant 1 because Zandalasini didn’t have room to land. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026

His 15th goal of the season came after he was fouled by Red Bulls midfielder Adri Mehmeti. — CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

The second of those rejections sparked a fast break, which ended with Bryant getting fouled at the rim and making a pair of free throws. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Oct. 2026

Two days later, Reese swiped at the ball in Clark’s hands after Clark was fouled, prompting the longtime rivals to exchange words. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026