foul play

noun

: violence
especially : murder

Examples of foul play in a Sentence

There is no evidence of foul play. the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The pair died within days of each other and there were no apparent signs of foul play, New Mexico Chief Medical Investigator Dr. Heather Jarrell said at a news conference. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2025 Officers said, at the time, that foul play was not suspected. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025 There were no obvious signs of foul play, officials said. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 The pair did not show any external trauma, and there were no immediate signs of foul play, according to preliminary autopsies and officials. Cheri Mossburg, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul play was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

foul play

noun
: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct
especially : violence sense 1
a victim of foul play

More from Merriam-Webster on foul play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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