foul 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce foul (audio)
Definition of foulnext
1
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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2
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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3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a foul taste that made us gag

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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
This time, the Heat felt like the officials missed a foul call at the end of the game that could have changed the result. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2025 With 13:33 left in the game, McCaffery grew frustrated by a disparity in foul calls, blew his top and picked up a technical from official Brian Dorsey. —Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the communities along the Gunpowder River, from Joppatowne and Rumsey Island as well as down past Harewood and Oliver Beach in Baltimore County, the clays and silts continue to foul the waters. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2025 In addition, Kansas struggled to defend the Wildcats without fouling. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
  1. turbulent
  2. unfair
  3. disgusting
  4. obscene
  5. stinking
  6. filthy
  7. dirty
  8. pollute
Adjective
  • The court’s decision marks the end of what has been a turbulent presidency.
    — Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.
    — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • Still, Leavitt said the high tariffs are unfair for Americans, and the United States should charge the same, in kind.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
  • White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday the tariffs would offset unfair treatment the U.S. has faced for decades.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Continue reading … ‘PRO-CRIMINAL’ – Blue state sheriff unloads on 'disgusting' bill targeting the right to self-defense.
    — Fox News, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, in 1976 as part of a group show of artists’ books, Santoro’s volume was immediately censored as obscene and offensive.
    — Paola Ugolini, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Cybertruck owners have shared displays of hostility from other motorists on a Facebook page, including vulgar notes left on their vehicles and obscene gestures directed at them from passing cars.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • 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
  • Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.
    — Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2019
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.
    — Forrest Claypool, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.
    — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • Slowing down enforcement could be considered a license to pollute — but industry would have to take a leap of faith that enforcers won’t catch up with them.
    — Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Loosening wastewater rules will pollute soil and negatively impact crops even more, McBride said.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2025
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 7 Apr. 2025.

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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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