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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
The body was discovered in the Tesla trunk after police were called to a tow yard in Hollywood to investigate reports of a foul smell coming from the car.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
Edman then came up with one out in the fifth and went the other way against Joel Peguero (3-1), hitting the ball off the left-field foul pole for another solo home run and a 5-4 lead.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
The body was discovered in the Tesla trunk after police were called to a tow yard in Hollywood to investigate reports of a foul smell coming from the car.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.
—Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
-
Giant chronicles a turbulent time in the life of famed children’s author Dahl when he was accused of anti-Semitism in the early 1980s.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
16 Sep. 2025
-
As the biomaterials space navigates a more turbulent landscape marked by tightening budgets, regulatory uncertainty, and investor caution, Biofabricate is adapting its approach.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That has raised questions from fans—and executives around the league—over whether Brady can fairly handle both responsibilities, or whether his access as broadcaster could give Las Vegas an unfair advantage.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
21 Sep. 2025
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On Thursday, the Actors’ Equity Association, which represents Casa Bonita’s unionized performers, filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board due to changes with the cast.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t notice all the ways humans are disgusting.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Sep. 2025
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But this disgusting and hateful speech is still speech and is protected by our First Amendment.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Guests will enjoy the experience free from disruptive behavior, foul language, obscene gestures, fighting, unruly conduct or inconsiderate actions.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
20 Sep. 2025
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Other users called her obscene names, threatened to show up at her workplace, or sent her a photograph of guns.—
Quinn Clark,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 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
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Grab a sponge and a bucket, some vinegar, and dish soap, and scrub away that filthy grime.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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Nothing sends chills down your spine like evil clowns, undead monsters and a filthy car.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As more success suddenly comes his way, McKinstry has remained the same, friendly and chuckling at his locker, dirtying his jersey and pestering opponents on the field.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Some were prosthetic buttocks, but others were people’s own buttocks, but in various states, like dirtied down and with partial covering.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The people affected by environmental violations are not just the nearby community, Duggan said, but the workers at polluting facilities as well.—
Taylor Kate Brown,
ProPublica,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Rivian also faces opposition from some residents who say the plant is an inappropriate neighbor to farms and will pollute the groundwater.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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