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
Glew told the outlet that police did not suspect foul play in connection with her disappearance.
—
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Officials say an autopsy will also determine if Martin’s death was a result of foul play, as investigators already suspect, the outlet reported.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2025
The failures documented by ProPublica left parents without answers in their baby’s sudden death and let clues vanish in the death of a woman whose family suspected foul play by her husband, a man later charged with killing his next wife.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025
Police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Statesman that police found no evidence of foul play.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Officials say an autopsy will also determine if Martin’s death was a result of foul play, as investigators already suspect, the outlet reported.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2025
The failures documented by ProPublica left parents without answers in their baby’s sudden death and let clues vanish in the death of a woman whose family suspected foul play by her husband, a man later charged with killing his next wife.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2025
Police spokesperson Haley Williams told the Statesman that police found no evidence of foul play.
—Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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The original wording suggesting that Soliman faced murder charges in Iraq had been included in the government’s successful argument for keeping him in custody.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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An argument over a wristwatch led to the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old Dallas mother at Malibu Jack’s amusement park in North Richland Hills, according to new details of the murder investigation released on Tuesday.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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More than a dozen people faced criminal charges stemming from a melee after a rally in Soliman’s support; demonstrators and police blame each other for the violence July 17.—
Hannah Allam,
ProPublica,
10 Sep. 2025
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Experts have cautioned against tying mental health to acts of gun violence, and told ABC News that the narrative that people with mental illness are more violent than their peers is false; the majority of people who commit violence do not have a history of mental illness.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In February 2025, the driver pleaded guilty to negligent vehicular homicide and drugged driving with a minor passenger – and now faces up to 10 years behind bars.—
Andrew Yockey,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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Anyone with information regarding the man’s death can contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Minoxidil, which works by improving blood flow to the scalp, can be taken orally or applied topically.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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One video was a loop showing the moment of impact in slow-motion, stopping before blood is seen.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His killing could become not just a tragedy but a catalyst—an event that radicalizes ever more Americans, less an aberration than a feature of our increasingly perilous national politics.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office charged Shawn Harris, 38, with capital murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the killing.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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