as in frustrated
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
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 foiled
The plot was foiled by law enforcement before any attack could be carried out.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled.
—Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foiled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
Verb
-
But Brown has seemed to often be frustrated by his role in the team’s offense, which continued last fall as his production dipped and the offense as a whole sputtered.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The user seemingly was frustrated by Paramount‘s decision not to release the film in theaters and opting for a streaming release.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, in 1983, a plot by the IRA to bomb a Duran Duran concert at the Dominion Theatre with the intention of targeting then Prince Charles and Princess Diana was thwarted.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ plans to upend childhood vaccination requirements continues to be thwarted by his fellow Republicans.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There’s an iPad for everyone, but the platform as a whole has felt stuck for a long time, with fast and capable hardware hampered by software that doesn’t take full advantage of it.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His gift is an uncanny ability to solve crimes that leave the LAPD baffled, armed only with the savvy and dry humor reminiscent of the gumshoe detectives of the noir genre.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
-
During our overnight coverage on CNN, Jim Sciutto pointed out that people watching in other countries are baffled by this American attribute.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Atletico earned a spot in the final four courtesy of a quarter-final victory against Spanish rivals Barcelona, while Arsenal defeated Portuguese side Sporting CP.—
The Athletic Live Team,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Huarte defeated Woodbridge senior Brady Tallakson 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the CIF boys final at Libbey Park to capture the title one year after falling in the championship match.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
