as in contrasts
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
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 foils
Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Sisters, in particular, influence the thoughts, opinions and actions of many of Austen’s heroines, acting as confidantes or foils.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The two men make for natural foils.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
But the refocus on Bobby allows the show to use father and son as foils for each other.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
After getting cut, Duggar's hair was sectioned off so the stylist could place her hair in foils to pull out the highlights.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Ultrathin foils of carbon materials have been used for decades in proton therapy to filter particles into high-precision beams meant to kill tumors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
This really hopped into overdrive with the Phyrexia expansion, bringing new art styles and different types of foils to the forefront.
—Curtis Silver, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Ask for soft, subtle highlights where they’d naturally be placed by the sun; depending on your natural base color, a gloss treatment might be more effective than foils.
—Jeanne Ballion, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Sisters, in particular, influence the thoughts, opinions and actions of many of Austen’s heroines, acting as confidantes or foils.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
The two men make for natural foils.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2025
But the refocus on Bobby allows the show to use father and son as foils for each other.
—Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2025
After getting cut, Duggar's hair was sectioned off so the stylist could place her hair in foils to pull out the highlights.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Ultrathin foils of carbon materials have been used for decades in proton therapy to filter particles into high-precision beams meant to kill tumors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2025
This really hopped into overdrive with the Phyrexia expansion, bringing new art styles and different types of foils to the forefront.
—Curtis Silver, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foils
Verb
-
This is part of a business model that has worked for TCU’s regular-season record, but increasingly frustrates fans who want to see a decent matchup in September.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The sharp jump in investor activity is likely due to their financial strength, which can often combat the state’s legendary low affordability that frustrates the common house hunter.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Dill is an easy herb to grow and its unique anise flavor complements salads and meats and adds tang to a jar of pickles.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Rules that restrict entry, shape market structure, or favor complements can create more lasting advantage than direct government handouts.—
Paulo Carvão,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For those looking to use beet juice as a natural performance enhancer, fresh juice is preferable to supplements.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
12 Sep. 2025
-
These supplements by Nutrafol are one of her favorites.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
One case that still baffles is the macabre story of Virginia McCullough, who killed her parents for their money – and then lived with their bodies for four years.—
KC Baker,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Providing a narrow network or mail-order-only option defeats the purpose.—
Wendy Barnes,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Getting vaccinated too early defeats the purpose.—
Eileen Finan,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foils. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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