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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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To prevent staining your hands, wash them immediately after applying self-tanner, and treat them like you would the rest of your body with an exfoliating mitt if any color lingers.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
23 Sep. 2025
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While there’s no secret deodorant conspiracy at play, there is a reason for the difference—certain types of deodorant are more prone to staining than others.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Left-wing antisemitism, which cast Jews as greedy capitalists, existed as well, especially in France, but Jew-baiting remained primarily a right-wing pursuit, the work of illiberal nativists who saw a tiny minority as polluting the purity of their racial or religious communities.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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The people affected by environmental violations are not just the nearby community, Duggan said, but the workers at polluting facilities as well.—
Taylor Kate Brown,
ProPublica,
17 Sep. 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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Police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Sep. 2025
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The following day, Authorities found Grimes’ decomposing body wrapped in a blanked and tarp in the crawl space.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 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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Hidden resentments could be poisoning your work-life balance.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 Sep. 2025
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That same day, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for fatally poisoning Angela.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Further discrediting itself, Thursday’s writeup includes a marketing pitch for the SquareX platform.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
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Wolfenbarger’s defense attorneys began to focus on discrediting Norma as a witness after prosecutors relied on her testimony to show the jury that her daughter Melissa had allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of her husband before her 1998 disappearance, according to WSB-TV.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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It’s been ripe for restoration since the 1970s and has sat, empty and disintegrating, for most of that time.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
24 Sep. 2025
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According to experts, the early signs of a disintegrating friendship are often easy to miss and can be difficult to address.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fouling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fouling. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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