as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 foil
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
The thermodynamic cost of (temporarily) foiling the second law is lowered.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
With her twin sisters occasionally joining her as dancing queens and her sister-in-attitude DJ Miss Milan (aka The Fairy VibeMother) rocking the turntables and performing as a rap foil, Doechii blasted through a 24-song set that rarely came up for air.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Verb
Our plans were foiled, but our spirits remained high.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
The thermodynamic cost of (temporarily) foiling the second law is lowered.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
Bake in preheated oven until apples are tender and filling is bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes, covering edges with foil as needed to prevent any overbrowning.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
With her twin sisters occasionally joining her as dancing queens and her sister-in-attitude DJ Miss Milan (aka The Fairy VibeMother) rocking the turntables and performing as a rap foil, Doechii blasted through a 24-song set that rarely came up for air.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
Verb
-
Faye is both highly supportive yet frustrated by the distant Springsteen, who showers her with love before disappearing into his music.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
-
So when Luise was frustrated by her experiments with canvas one afternoon at MacDowell and threw her scraps into her studio’s fireplace, Morton was there to witness the epiphany that followed.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Lower doses, by contrast, often strike the sweet spot with far fewer risks.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
By contrast, Maia’s boyfriend, Dylan (Josh Hutcherson), a grade-school Spanish teacher, is the only person in her life unattached to the entertainment industry.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Governor Kathy Hochul, whose own term has been defined by attempts to override local municipalities that thwart housing development and density, also supports the plan.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And so Rice and Smith, to me, are a perfect complement.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The cardamom and iris in Santal 33 complement the incense notes in Babycat while adding a smoky woodiness that makes the whole blend even more intriguing.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
He was baffled as if there does not appear to be any point of access for an animal the size of a ground hog.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
She was baffled by his sudden enterprise.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Establishing enforceable limits in foods and supplements would go a long way in protecting consumers.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Oct. 2025
-
While some might need supplements, the safer first step is to get magnesium and potassium through mineral-rich foods.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Laboratory testing capacities at the CDC and expert guidance to analyze local trends may also be hampered during the shutdown, experts say.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The soundtrack here is an important counterpoint to the visual impact, transporting the viewer into a subconscious state that connects them with their deepest emotions and life memories.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
This Apple-and-Fennel Salad is the perfect counterpoint—crisp, fresh, and just a little tart.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share