afoul of
preposition
1
: in or into conflict with
ran afoul of the law
2
: in or into collision or entanglement with
Examples of afoul of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The software vendor accused the state of running afoul of the bidding process by changing the project’s parameters and lowering the necessary qualifications after key deadlines.
—
William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Moreover, many investors attempt to offset losses through tax-loss harvesting but inadvertently fall afoul of the IRS’ wash-sale rule.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Perrin can’t go back to his hometown without running afoul of the radicals who’ve already tortured him once before, back in season one.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The move alarmed those fighting to restore the agency — who stressed the destruction could run afoul of public records laws and hinder any efforts to rehire employees.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
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William Melhado, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Moreover, many investors attempt to offset losses through tax-loss harvesting but inadvertently fall afoul of the IRS’ wash-sale rule.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Perrin can’t go back to his hometown without running afoul of the radicals who’ve already tortured him once before, back in season one.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
The move alarmed those fighting to restore the agency — who stressed the destruction could run afoul of public records laws and hinder any efforts to rehire employees.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
Cite this Entry
“Afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afoul%20of. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afoul of
preposition1
: in or into collision or entanglement with
one ship ran afoul of the other
2
: in or into conflict with
they fell afoul of the law
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