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
But Hunter wasn’t able to reap the benefits of the machine before Wednesday foiled the plan. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025 After the peloton foiled any early breaks, a 12-man group, which included most of the GC contenders, left the peloton behind close to the summit of El Vivero, 24 kilometers from the finish line. —CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
Don’t put non-food items like food wraps—foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper—inside the toaster’s slots. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025 Natural wine corks are compostable after removing any metal foil and other materials. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025 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
  • Larsen makes Didi’s absurd actions feel credible, something a woman frustrated with her own life would do, in haste, on behalf of another.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The East African nation has been frustrated about the poor equipment, lack of manpower and money to help dismantled Haiti’s gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of frustrate
Noun
  • In contrast, our planet Mercury, which is scorchingly hot itself, orbits the sun in just under 88 days.
    — Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • By contrast, the energy sector lacks a global regulator.
    — Michaila Byrne, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of contrast
Verb
  • One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.
    — Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The Kansas City Royals arrived in Philadelphia looking to thwart the red-hot Phillies and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of thwart
Noun
  • The Puzzle Me screen reader works as a complement to other screen reader technology.
    — Patrick Merrell, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The best results come from collaboration—writers, designers and strategists working together to make sure the visuals and messaging complement each other.
    — Kristine Johnson, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of complement
Verb
  • Another factor that may baffle outsiders is a reluctance to use air conditioners at home.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
  • This is stuttering, crashing and other issues, even on high-end hardware way above recommended specs, which is baffling some.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of baffle
Noun
  • The Utah ban included measures to make prescription fluoride supplements more accessible — but now, the FDA is moving to remove certain types of those supplements for children from the market.
    — Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
  • There are also several PDF supplements featuring stories built around specific super teams.
    — Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of supplement
Verb
  • However, the two-time WNBA MVP looked hampered by the injury, scoring just six points in 20 minutes on the court.
    — Ben Morse, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of hamper
Noun
  • The polar figures of 16th-century Italian choral music, Palestrina, the Apollonian master of elegant counterpoint, and Gesualdo, the violent renegade of plangent harmonies, meet on the same program presented by Miller Theater.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • For those who think terroir is a wine-world concept, this bottle offers a compelling counterpoint — one that’s distinctly Mexican, deeply artisanal — and tastes as layered as its story.
    — Gina Pace, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of counterpoint

Browse Nearby Words

foibles
foil
foiled
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Cite this Entry

“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foil

Nglish: Translation of foil for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foil

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