afoul of
preposition
1
: in or into conflict with
ran afoul of the law
2
: in or into collision or entanglement with
Examples of afoul of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Jeffries was also careful not to run too far afoul of Bloomberg.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
In Gray’s taut thriller, set in 1980s Brighton Beach; the Gowanus area of Brooklyn; and Great Neck, Long Island, two brothers (Driver and Teller) fall afoul of Russian gangsters in a rapidly transforming city where high-stakes opportunities for riches also come with a high risk of life and limb.
—Jada Yuan, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Hollander plays a vicious Irish mobster hell bent on seizing the palatial estate Reno has dedicated his life to protect after its heir runs afoul of his compatriots abroad.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 May 2026
Wo that ran afoul of local ordinances and changed America as a result.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
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Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
In Gray’s taut thriller, set in 1980s Brighton Beach; the Gowanus area of Brooklyn; and Great Neck, Long Island, two brothers (Driver and Teller) fall afoul of Russian gangsters in a rapidly transforming city where high-stakes opportunities for riches also come with a high risk of life and limb.
—Jada Yuan, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Hollander plays a vicious Irish mobster hell bent on seizing the palatial estate Reno has dedicated his life to protect after its heir runs afoul of his compatriots abroad.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 May 2026
Wo that ran afoul of local ordinances and changed America as a result.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
Cite this Entry
“Afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afoul%20of. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afoul of
preposition1
: in or into collision or entanglement with
one ship ran afoul of the other
2
: in or into conflict with
they fell afoul of the law
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