foul 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce foul (audio)
Definition of foulnext
1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a foul taste that made us gag

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2
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

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3
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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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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5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell the foul fumes from the paper mill

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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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foul

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to dirty
to make dirty the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease

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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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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foul differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foul are dirty, filthy, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

When can dirty be used instead of foul?

Although the words dirty and foul have much in common, dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When could filthy be used to replace foul?

The meanings of filthy and foul largely overlap; however, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

How is nasty related to other words for foul?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

When would squalid be a good substitute for foul?

In some situations, the words squalid and foul are roughly equivalent. However, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

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 foul
Adjective
Afterward, Peterson would hit the foul shot to complete the and-one. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026 Early Friday morning, the president of the United States shared on his social media account a foul video that portrayed former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes and himself as a lion. —Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Midway through the third quarter Duren was driving toward the basket when he was fouled by Diabate. —CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026 The Heat was then forced to intentionally foul Sensabaugh, who made both free throws to push the Jazz’s lead to four points and seal the win. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
  1. disgusting
  2. turbulent
  3. unfair
  4. obscene
  5. stinking
  6. filthy
  7. dirty
  8. pollute
Adjective
  • The Epstein files reveal plenty of powerful people to have tolerated or participated in disgusting and shameful behavior.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.
    — Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • The faces of those women represented an unbroken chain of those who survived turbulent histories before me.
    — Lara N. Dotson-Renta, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • This is something that is common around young stars that have turbulent and violent environments, but is uncommon for stars as old as ASASSN-24fw, estimated to be around 1 billion years old.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • These fears are well-founded, as authorities have previously executed many protesters following grossly unfair trials, while many others remain on death row.
    — Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
  • And the company has committed a host of unfair labor practices, including firing a member of the bargaining committee, punishing a worker for filing a grievance against management and making changes to working conditions without giving the union notice, UFCW officials alleged.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Weiner pled guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor in 2017 and spent 15 months in federal prison for the crime.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Texas Tech’s student section directed an obscene chant at Kansas’ Darryn Peterson as the freshman guard prepared to shoot a free throw late in the first half of the Jayhawks’ 64-61 victory over the Red Raiders on Monday night at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Four plays, 76 yards, in 25 stinking seconds.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • This neighborhood, peopled almost entirely by the people who claim to have been driven from Poland and Russia, is the eyesore of New York and perhaps the filthiest place on the western continent.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Rodents, roaches, flies and knives stored in filthy places were among the myriad violations on this week’s Sick and Shut Down List of South Florida restaurants that failed state inspection.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • The spoon even comes with measuring lines for a teaspoon and tablespoon, saving you from having to dirty another utensil.
    — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The adventurous actress dirties up her frock and face to play the village pariah, who reeks of fish and would be no man’s idea of a suitable wife, except perhaps the one-eyed bum who sleeps in the town square.
    — Peter Debruge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • For that reason, many local opponents argue that if compressor stations are going to be expanded, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection should force Iroquois to utilize less-polluting technologies such as all-electric motors.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2026
  • View gallery - 4 images Electric passenger ferries offer a promising alternative to polluting fossil-fuel guzzlers given the relatively short hops these vessels need to make per trip.
    — Stefan Ionescu February 04, New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of pollute

Phrases Containing foul

Browse Nearby Words

fought shy of
foul
fouled
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Cite this Entry

“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foul

Nglish: Translation of foul for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foul

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