1
as in staining
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polluting
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 humiliating
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 decomposing
to go through decomposition
unless you want to smell the organic refuse as it fouls, locate the compost heap away from the house
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of fouling
The electrolyzer’s design addresses fouling, current distribution, and thermal management, which are common failure points for electrochemical systems receiving heterogeneous feedstocks.
—
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
He was hurt while fouling off a pitch on Thursday night.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Since our first year there’s been games where there’s kicking each other and fouling each other.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
For example, he was caught in possession, which led to Kaoru Mitoma fouling Harry Wilson and presenting Fulham with a free kick in a threatening position.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
But at least Wenceel Pérez avoided an IL stint after fouling a ball off his foot Saturday.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025
But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
He was hurt while fouling off a pitch on Thursday night.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Since our first year there’s been games where there’s kicking each other and fouling each other.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
For example, he was caught in possession, which led to Kaoru Mitoma fouling Harry Wilson and presenting Fulham with a free kick in a threatening position.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
But at least Wenceel Pérez avoided an IL stint after fouling a ball off his foot Saturday.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fouling
Verb
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The durable finish resists staining, dulling, chipping and cracking, while delivering even heat retention from stove to oven.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
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Sealing your grout is a great way to prevent further staining and using a steam cleaner can help to lift the stains.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Threats to these sites from the outside include logging and mining in the region, developing nearby land, diverting natural water flows, and polluting the air, water and land.—
Jessica Beaudette,
The Conversation,
11 Oct. 2025
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This invisible, climate-polluting gas can escape into the water through fissures in the sea floor, often revealing itself with a stream of bubbles weaving their way up to the ocean surface.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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This announcement, humiliating the involved member, is harmful.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
Oc Register,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Directors of a Texas funeral home are accused of neglecting bodies found decomposing in their mortuary without working air conditioning, authorities say.—
Mike Stunson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Oct. 2025
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Mushrooms also thrive in decomposing wood mulch.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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High-Heat-Safe Alternatives While enameled cast-iron cookware is excellent to use for braising, roasting, baking, or gentle stovetop cooking, certain high heat applications like searing steak or blackening fish are best done in other types of pans, like traditional cast iron or stainless steel.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
10 Sep. 2025
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Each footstep sent up clouds of dust and ash, coating everything, including my mouth and teeth, in fine grit, blackening my snot and saliva.—
River Selby
August 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But Antonio distracts him by accusing him in the town square of sending Justina off to El Alcazar and poisoning his son.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
12 Oct. 2025
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Hogan initially denied poisoning her estranged husband, according to police, but later changed her story.—
Mike Stunson,
Miami Herald,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Already, Cuba’s top diplomats have been sharing propaganda content discrediting Machado as a warmonger.—
Nora Gamez Torres,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
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There would be accusations of race manipulation, an online mob discrediting Wallace’s win as undeserved, and an angry Joe Gibbs Racing organization, which would now realize Hamlin puts another team’s interests ahead of their own.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As gifts go, this one comes much belated—and with a high risk of disintegrating even as it is being unwrapped.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
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The electrical grid is disintegrating, with hours-long blackouts common across the island.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fouling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fouling. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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