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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a foul taste that made us gag
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in filthy
not clean
I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dirty
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
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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
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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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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in grossness
the quality or state of being obscene
the foulness of your language means that your post won't get on the Web site's bulletin board
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dustiness
the state or quality of being dirty
she couldn't believe the foulness of her daughter's room, and ordered her to clean it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul
Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2025
Gorski was smartly running on the inside of the line, so Machado kept the ball an extra step before firing home along the foul side of the line.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025
Ben Morse, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
The next Yankee batter after Cody Bellinger belted the fourth homer was second baseman Jazz Chisolm Jr., who fouled off the first pitch, took another one, then stepped out of the box in obvious discomfort, twisting from side to side as if to loosen his muscles.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
After briefly making the catch, Callihan crashed into the wall in foul territory along the left-field line.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2025
Gorski was smartly running on the inside of the line, so Machado kept the ball an extra step before firing home along the foul side of the line.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025
Verb
After Gilgeous-Alexander dunked to give the Thunder a three-point lead with 11 seconds left, Oklahoma City decided to foul Gordon without running time off the clock.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
The next Yankee batter after Cody Bellinger belted the fourth homer was second baseman Jazz Chisolm Jr., who fouled off the first pitch, took another one, then stepped out of the box in obvious discomfort, twisting from side to side as if to loosen his muscles.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
-
The stakes are high, as the visits take place amid turbulent geopolitical tensions.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
9 May 2025
-
Keep in mind, substantial wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during turbulent times.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
But critics argue that no taxes on tips is a costly, unfair tax break that will benefit few lower-income Americans.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
-
Sometimes, there are unfair expectations put on children of professional athletes.—
Annie Heilbrunn,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating.—
Norman Miller,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
-
But where was the anger from Erik Spoelstra in his post-game news conference about this disgusting performance?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The investigation began when detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit served a search warrant in Bakersfield based on a tip about a person who was in possession and used obscene material involving an underage girl, authorities announced in a news release on Tuesday.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2025
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With his plea, a federal indictment relating to transfer of obscene material to a minor would not be pursued.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
5 May 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
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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
-
At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Created in 2019 by Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride, the filthy HBO comedy centers around a family of corrupt, fast-talking televangelists led by John Goodman's aging and regretful Eli Gemstone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
Crème Brûlée Steve Granitz Crème brûlée is like butter blonde, but dirtied up a bit for a browned, warm tint.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
2 May 2025
-
He’s come through with timely hits, dirtied his uniform on the bases and made an impact with his arm in the outfield.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The intent, the critics have said, is in fact to stifle findings about the noxious content that is increasingly polluting social media and political discourse.—
Steven Lee Myers,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
Leaks from this antiquated sewer system are polluting Rock Creek and threaten the public health of all those who come in contact with it.—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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