1
as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the suspect has a long history of foul play, and was once convicted on assault and battery charges
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 play
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, but according to TMZ, nothing suggests foul play at hand.
—
Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The medical examiner’s office would automatically do an autopsy if foul play or criminality was suspected, but there was none, so the office did not overrule the family’s decision.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025
The idea that the birds are dropping dead from foul play doesn’t sit right with some residents.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Related Stories Viral Eaglets Growing Up on Live Cam Die After Storm Blows Nest Away
Illinois Authorities Suspect Avian Flu Outbreak Killed 200 Birds
However, according to ABC News, officials have hinted at foul play after releasing the necropsy results of two deceased birds.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Seth Quinn, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
The medical examiner’s office would automatically do an autopsy if foul play or criminality was suspected, but there was none, so the office did not overrule the family’s decision.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025
The idea that the birds are dropping dead from foul play doesn’t sit right with some residents.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
Related Stories Viral Eaglets Growing Up on Live Cam Die After Storm Blows Nest Away
Illinois Authorities Suspect Avian Flu Outbreak Killed 200 Birds
However, according to ABC News, officials have hinted at foul play after releasing the necropsy results of two deceased birds.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Matthew Johnson executed in Texas for murder of beloved grandmother who was set on fire Indiana executes Benjamin Ritchie for young police officer's murder.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Hardin pleaded guilty to the 2017 murder of James Appleton, 59, a city water employee who was found shot in the face inside his work truck, KNWA reported.—
Stepheny Price , Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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On the agenda: discussions about the various ways antisemitic rhetoric can lead to violence.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
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Gun violence in the US Thousands of people die from firearm injuries in the U.S. each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Natalie Demaree,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Floyd’s death, which was ruled a homicide, sparked widespread backlash after a video went viral of then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on May 25, 2020.—
Deena Zaru,
ABC News,
25 May 2025
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In late March, one repeat offender who was racing along killed a mother and her two young daughters, in a tragedy that should hold the city’s attention every bit as much as a shove onto the subway tracks or a gun homicide.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Ellie doesn’t know that Joel killed Abby’s father until she’s already spilled a small army’s worth of blood in retaliation.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 May 2025
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Magnesium supplementation can reduce insulin resistance and improve blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.—
Ashley Wong,
Health,
27 May 2025
Noun
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The younger Zoll was the prime suspect in his father’s killing, and authorities launched a multiweek search for him late last year.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
27 May 2025
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The fatal attack was part of a wave of racially motivated killings during that era in the United States, especially in the south.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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