1
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
the foul weather brought out the windbreakers and rain slickers as everyone braced for a day of rough sailing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfair
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
an aggressive hockey player who is known for his foul play and readiness for a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a foul taste that made us gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
that movie features nonstop foul language
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
the foul fumes from the paper mill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in filthy
not clean
I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dirty
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
industrial pollution fouling the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rot
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The dust of Ogunleye, the crooked end of the street, the large canal by my uncle’s shop, the small stream of water that flowed behind our house into the large canal at the other end of the street, the foul smell that overcame the street the first time, the getting used to, the boys.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Cubs lefty watched San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman foul off his previous pitch, a four-seam fastball up and well above the strike zone, and wanted to go back to the same spot.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
There’s also an odor neutralizer cartridge that can be placed into the vacuum’s brush roll and is designed to keep foul odors out of the air while cleaning.
—Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
The dust of Ogunleye, the crooked end of the street, the large canal by my uncle’s shop, the small stream of water that flowed behind our house into the large canal at the other end of the street, the foul smell that overcame the street the first time, the getting used to, the boys.
—Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
But just as Indiana was on the verge of cutting the lead to a single possession, Powers fouled Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin on a 3-pointer right in front of Indiana’s bench and the second-year guard swished the shot to erupt the Chase Center crowd.
—Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025
The Chicago Cubs lefty watched San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman foul off his previous pitch, a four-seam fastball up and well above the strike zone, and wanted to go back to the same spot.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
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That's up 16% from 512,000 savers who broke into seven digits on their 401(k) statements in the first quarter's turbulent market.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The verdict was the final of three judgements against the powerful Shinawatra family, which has dominated Thailand’s turbulent and often violent political scene for more than 20 years.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Asking them to police a city is unfair — to them, and to the people they’re supposed to serve.—
Eric Chastain,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
-
There’s a dip after that — but this, of course, is a bit unfair as the players of this generation are continuing to pick up caps.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And putting it on her fingers and in your babies mouth is disgusting.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Because there are more aliens aboard the Maginot than just a Xenomorph, Hawley adds a few new wrinkles to the usual disgusting Alien progression of face-hugger to chest-burster.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The couple quickly began receiving death threats and obscene phone calls.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Banners or signs may not be commercial in nature or obscene, or cause any disturbance to other fans.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Adjective
-
Away from a filthy Superdome and Convention Center where they had been holed up for days.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Alexander pulled out a baby-blue melodica to lay down a filthy ska rhythm for his band.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Other public speakers, like Tabitha Fader, said the reroute would cause irreparable harm if wetlands and rivers were polluted during pipeline construction or in the event of a spill.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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Industry, transportation, and creating electricity are polluting.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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