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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of foul play
The cause of death has not been determined but there were no signs of foul play, police said.
—
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
Still, if Lark is connected to Jimmy (Ian Tracey), there's a possibility of foul play.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
An initial investigation did not find any evidence of foul play, according to the sheriff’s office, which is probing the death with the medical examiner-coroner and district attorney’s offices.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2024
On Monday evening, McDonnell announced that Hannah was voluntarily separated from her day-to-day world and isn’t the subject of trafficking or foul play.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foul play 
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2025
Still, if Lark is connected to Jimmy (Ian Tracey), there's a possibility of foul play.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
An initial investigation did not find any evidence of foul play, according to the sheriff’s office, which is probing the death with the medical examiner-coroner and district attorney’s offices.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2024
On Monday evening, McDonnell announced that Hannah was voluntarily separated from her day-to-day world and isn’t the subject of trafficking or foul play.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Willard was later found guilty of murder, while a jury determined Robinson was not guilty in Jackson’s death, according to local WRTV.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
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According to the provisions of the agreement, detainees who were serving life sentences for murder and other serious crimes must be sent abroad.—
Willem Marx,
NPR,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, homeless people are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.—
Leah Goodridge,
TIME,
27 Jan. 2025
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In 2023, Target removed some of its Pride merchandise due to right-wing backlash and threats of violence toward employees.—
Abby Monteil,
Them,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Anyone with information about the death of the bar patron Saturday night can contact the Sheriff’s Office’s homicide unit at 858-285-6330 or San Diego County Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
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The probe by the county homicide squad is ongoing while a federal investigation into the cause of the building collapse is underway, too.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lynda Carter Looks Wondrous as Ever in Behind-the-Scenes Video from Her Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam Photo Shoot Carter shared Altman with her late husband, Robert Altman, who died in February 2021 from myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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Manage Cholesterol Levels Small studies have shown that fenugreek may reduce blood lipid levels, which will in turn lower one’s cholesterol.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Now investigators in at least three countries, including the United States, are sorting through a rogues’ gallery of players, trying to determine how the killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, 53, was carried out on July 7, 2021.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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He was charged in the additional killings of 18-year-old Jill Barcomb, 21-year-old Jill Parenteau, 27-year-old Georgia Wixted and 32-year-old Charlotte Lamb after new DNA evidence connected him to the victims.—
Mollie Markowitz,
Fox News,
26 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near foul play
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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