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.
There were no obvious signs of trauma or immediate indication the man was the victim of foul play. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025 The memo accompanied the release of 10 hours of prison footage from the Metropolitan Correctional Center, where Epstein was housed on the day of his death, Aug. 10, 2019 — an effort the DOJ made to prove its claims that his death was a result of suicide, rather than foul play. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 July 2025 But when the Justice Department memo quietly arrived months later, stating there was no client list and no evidence of foul play in Epstein's death, the backlash was immediate. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 However, after further investigation, authorities began to suspect foul play, signaling out O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Read, as a suspect. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 June 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 21 Jul. 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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