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
That is true not just for leisure tourists but also for conference-goers whose research or work runs afoul of the Trump administration's novel interpretation of the First Amendment as not applying to anyone without citizenship.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
However, Liechtenstein is concerned enough that its financial institutions could be blocked from the U.S. financial system for running afoul of Treasury blacklists that its Financial Markets Authority looks at non-compliance with OFAC sanctions.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
This includes identifying the activities that require oversight, which regulator has that authority, and which actions run afoul of the law.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Attorneys for a Maryland man mistakenly deported to a Salvadoran prison said the Trump administration has run afoul of a Supreme Court order by failing to even attempt to secure his return.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
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.
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
However, Liechtenstein is concerned enough that its financial institutions could be blocked from the U.S. financial system for running afoul of Treasury blacklists that its Financial Markets Authority looks at non-compliance with OFAC sanctions.
—Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025
This includes identifying the activities that require oversight, which regulator has that authority, and which actions run afoul of the law.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Attorneys for a Maryland man mistakenly deported to a Salvadoran prison said the Trump administration has run afoul of a Supreme Court order by failing to even attempt to secure his return.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 15 Apr. 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 20 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share