foil 1 of 2

verb

ˈfȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce foil (audio)
Definition of foilnext
as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

foil

2 of 2

noun

as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb foil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle, balk, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When would baffle be a good substitute for foil?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is balk a more appropriate choice than foil?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can frustrate take the place of foil?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When might thwart be a better fit than foil?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foil
Verb
Shahid Rind, a spokesman for the Balochistan government, said most of the attacks were foiled. —Abdul Sattar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026 After months of surveillance, their plot was foiled. —Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
Once the racks have soaked for long enough, remove the foil. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026 Instead, the board opts for the happy-go-lucky concert attendee kicking back a beer or two as its foil to scary THC use. —Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
  1. frustrate
  2. contrast
  3. thwart
  4. complement
  5. baffle
  6. supplement
  7. hamper
  8. counterpoint
Verb
  • But now concerns have grown and even some of the airline’s most loyal customers are frustrated after the carrier rolled out a new boarding process to pair with the policy change.
    — Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The two upperclassmen used contrasting styles to frustrate TCU defensively.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • Internally, Costco has kept a formal diversity office and program in place, even as management remains predominantly white—a contrast the company acknowledges while pledging to keep pushing toward its DEI goals.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • This, in stark contrast to a time when most designers developed each body part as a separate element of a traditional three-box design.
    — Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of contrast
Verb
  • In the 27th minute, diving to his left to thwart Juninho Vieira.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The Prince and Princess of Wales’ statement came ahead of William’s three-day trip to Saudi Arabia, which kicked off on Monday—likely in an attempt to thwart any questions about the issue while the future king is abroad.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of thwart
Noun
  • Charbonnet and Walker made up the running back duo that was the pace-changer for the Seahawks offense, the complement to their devastating aerial attack led by Sam Darnold.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Add a Spa Treatment Having a massage or relaxing in an herbal cocoon at The Spa is the perfect complement to soaking in the tepid springs.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of complement
Verb
  • Patagonia’s proprietary synthetic fill imitates down’s structure by spinning air-trapping microfilaments around a central fiber and requires fewer stabilizing seams and baffles than down.
    — Kelly Bastone, Outside, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Even Proctor’s defense attorney seemed baffled by the district attorney’s office’s handling of the case.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • Your healthcare provider will likely order labs to check your magnesium and vitamin D levels before recommending a supplement.
    — Kirstyn Hill, Health, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The details are buried in the study’s supplement.
    — Eleanor M. Perfetto, STAT, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of supplement
Verb
  • Democratic lawmakers condemn Maxwell’s plea Democrats in the House Oversight Committee denounced Maxwell’s request for a presidential pardon and suggested that Trump’s refusal to rule out such a possibility has hampered the committee’s inquiry.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
  • As has been the case many a time during the season, giveaways hampered Golden State for much of the night.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of hamper
Noun
  • Robbie has always been the type of actor who knows how to shift subtly in a way that lets a camera capture the alchemy of conflicting emotions, which comes in handy as a counterpoint to the big swings happening behind that camera.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Greek yogurt makes tahini creamier and a good counterpoint for the pepper sauce.
    — Faye Levy, Oc Register, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of counterpoint

Browse Nearby Words

foibles
foil
foiled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foil

Nglish: Translation of foil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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