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
There were no signs of foul play and officers are investigating the circumstances of her death, a police official told CNN last month.
Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the time period Kim Soo Hyun had stayed quiet.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
Although the preliminary investigation reveals no signs of foul play, detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s are awaiting the autopsy results before reaching a final conclusion.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
The autopsy report said his death appeared to be accidental and did not indicate any signs of foul play.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025
Although the preliminary investigation reveals no signs of foul play, detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s are awaiting the autopsy results before reaching a final conclusion.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025
The autopsy report said his death appeared to be accidental and did not indicate any signs of foul play.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
Abby’s friends disarm Ellie, and then Abby murders Joel in front of Ellie’s eyes.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Robbery, rape, kidnapping and murder were frequent.—
Lauren Vuong,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
One where the memories are as much of romance as violence, as based around out-of-pocket jokes as tears.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
28 Mar. 2025
-
That the specific task at hand in Warfare is so vague is a good reminder that though this happened 20 years ago, there are people right now who have been ordered to enforce political will with violence, and this savagery will likely repeat for all time.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Sheriff’s office homicide detectives have taken over the investigation from Florida City police, Rodriguez said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
19 Apr. 2025
-
This investigation is ongoing; any information regarding the shooting may be shared with Little Rock police homicide detectives at (501) 371-4660.—
Jesse Cain,
Arkansas Online,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Their relationship has been a rollercoaster—from matching blood vial necklaces to public breakups and reconciliations.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The condition can lead to serious and potentially fatal outcomes if the clot dislodges and gets stuck in a lung artery, preventing blood flow.—
Amy Norton,
SELF,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The attack sparked outrage on social media, with politicians from the north condemning the killings.—
Dyepkazah Shibayan,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the killing, police said.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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