1
as in murder
the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life
the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in violence
the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property
the suspect has a long history of foul play, and was once convicted on assault and battery charges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of foul play
Although Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said early in the investigation that foul play had not been ruled out, no determination along those lines has since been publicly disclosed.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025
Woodland fire officials said there were no immediate signs of foul play, but said fire investigators were working in conjunction with Yolo County Sheriff’s Office to determine what caused the blaze.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
Police said Bebout’s death was not a result of foul play, as authorities now investigate why family members did not report his death, according to WPXI.
—Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
An initial review of all financial transactions since Fletcher's employment turned up no evidence of foul play, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for foul play 
Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 Jan. 2025
Woodland fire officials said there were no immediate signs of foul play, but said fire investigators were working in conjunction with Yolo County Sheriff’s Office to determine what caused the blaze.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 24 Jan. 2025
Police said Bebout’s death was not a result of foul play, as authorities now investigate why family members did not report his death, according to WPXI.
—Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
An initial review of all financial transactions since Fletcher's employment turned up no evidence of foul play, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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After pleading guilty earlier this year to third-degree murder in the overdose death of a Savage man, Tino Andre Jones Jr., 34, of Woodbury, was sentenced to 135 months in prison Dec. 22.—
Alex Malm,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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With some rare exceptions, a person must be convicted of first-degree murder in Idaho to be eligible for the death penalty.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And this is why so many people are living in a situation of violence.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Feb. 2025
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Under new Maryland juvenile justice laws, crimes of violence, including robberies and carjackings, should automatically be forwarded to state’s attorney’s offices.—
Keith Daniels,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The dead man found hog-tied on the side of a highway earlier this week has been identified as a 57-year-old Queens resident as NYPD detectives launch a homicide investigation, police said Friday.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide caused by complications of blunt force injuries to his head.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ivers’ blood showed 2.9 ng/ mL of 11-Hydroxy Delta-9 THC.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2025
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But that loss of blood to limbs can lead to necrosis, or rotting, of the flesh.—
Christopher O'Donnell,
Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Superintendent Moore is very popular among the miners here, and so much feeling was aroused over the killing that officers took Barnes to the jail in Ozark tonight as a precaution against violence.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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After the sentencing for Dobson's killing, he was accused of angrily breaking a sprinkler head in his holding cell, which flooded the courtroom.—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near foul play
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
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