Synonyms of fouling

fouling

verb

present participle of foul

1

as in staining

to make dirty

the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease

Synonyms & Similar Words

• staining
• blackening
• dirtying
• soiling
• messing
• mucking
• sullying
• smudging
• befouling
• muddying
• besmirching
• polluting
• contaminating
• daubing
• griming
• miring
• distaining
• smirching
• gauming
• begriming
• bemiring
• tainting
• discoloring
• defiling
• disordering
• disarranging
• muddling
• draggling
• disheveling
• jumbling
• disarraying
• confusing
• crocking
• collying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaning
• cleansing
• purging
• purifying
• decontaminating
• wiping
• brushing
• sweeping
• washing
• disinfecting
• scrubbing
• dusting
• rinsing
• sanitizing
• scouring
• mopping
• laundering
• renewing
• freshening
• brightening
• straightening (up)
• dry-cleaning
• tidying (up)
• deodorizing
• sprucing (up)

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

• polluting
• poisoning
• contaminating
• tainting
• befouling
• defiling
• infecting
• soiling
• dirtying
• staining
• sullying
• blackening
• smudging
• rotting
• diluting
• besmirching
• corrupting
• spoiling
• muddying
• adulterating
• fouling up
• miring
• griming
• watering down
• smirching
• doctoring
• begriming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cleaning
• purifying
• clearing
• cleansing
• clarifying
• purging
• filtering
• distilling
• decontaminating
• sterilizing
• disinfecting
• sanitizing

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humiliating
• discrediting
• degrading
• embarrassing
• shaming
• disgracing
• rattling
• dishonoring
• insulting
• debasing
• lowering
• humbling
• confusing
• cheapening
• sinking
• demeaning
• abasing
• criticizing
• taking down
• diminishing
• minimizing
• chastening
• smirching
• disconcerting
• ridiculing
• detracting
• discounting
• decrying
• mortifying
• disparaging
• discountenancing
• confounding
• flustering
• defiling
• condemning
• maligning
• belittling
• depreciating
• libeling
• slandering
• defaming
• discomfiting
• castigating
• writing off
• fazing
• affronting
• denouncing
• nonplussing
• abashing
• crying down
• bad-mouthing
• censuring
• putting down
• damning
• execrating
• reprobating
• reprehending

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elevating
• exalting
• citing
• praising
• honoring
• decorating
• recognizing
• celebrating
• cheering
• aggrandizing
• deifying
• applauding
• canonizing
• boasting
• complimenting
• acknowledging
• saluting
• commending
• extolling
• congratulating
• lauding
• hailing
• eulogizing
• touting
• highlighting
• acclaiming
• advancing
• promoting
• lifting
• upgrading
• feting
• raising
• spotlighting
• playing up
• magnifying
• glorifying
• boosting
• enshrining
• dignifying
• ennobling
• uplifting
• enthroning
• romanticizing
• idealizing
• enskying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decomposing
• disintegrating
• rotting
• decaying
• spoiling
• corrupting
• molding
• festering
• perishing
• deteriorating
• putrefying
• falling apart
• polluting
• moldering
• descending
• crumbling
• contaminating
• turning
• rusting
• breaking down
• souring
• going to seed
• defiling
• fermenting
• tainting
• curdling
• degenerating
• sinking
• mortifying
• declining
• turning off
• addling
• withering
• dilapidating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• growing
• aging
• developing
• maturing
• ripening
• restoring
• cleansing
• renewing
• purifying
• improving
• integrating
• assembling
• composing
• refreshing
• ameliorating
• bettering
• meliorating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fouling

The only blemish for Kansas City came in the 75th minute with Katie Scott fouling forward Emma Sears in the box. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Congressional conservatives even called for the federal government to investigate the WNBA for civil-rights violations because of players fouling her. — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026

But, experts say, the projects popping up in Miami-Dade are unlike those that grab headlines for fouling drinking water and driving up power bills — for now. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

That’s great for game day, but Post Malone and Jelly Roll aren’t fouling off heaters during their show. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Given he had been booked in the first half (for fouling Paredes, ironically), that meant a red. — Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Machado, on the other hand, remained in the game after fouling a ball off his toe in the third inning and collapsing in pain at the plate. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Forward Folarin Balogun was given a controversial red card in the 64th minute after fouling Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026

The Phillies loaded the bases with two outs in the second, and after fouling off several Chandler pitches, Crawford took another late swipe and managed to hit one down the third base line off the end of the bat. — CBS News, 1 July 2026