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
The sheriff’s office said foul play is not suspected.
—
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
The local district attorney's office said no foul play was suspected.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The body was found on the lawn near Sproul Hall, and Westlie said foul play was not immediately suspected.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play.
—Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
The local district attorney's office said no foul play was suspected.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
The body was found on the lawn near Sproul Hall, and Westlie said foul play was not immediately suspected.
—Jose Fabian, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Some involve unsolved homicides, while others are missing persons cases with no signs of foul play.
—Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
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Paul Casteleiro, John Kogut's former defense attorney, fears that Bilodeau's lawyers will put the blame on the three men who were cleared of the murder two decades ago.—
Mary Murphy,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Four people were wounded early Sunday in a shooting at a troubled Queens nightclub with a history of violence and murder.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That's because Winnie is accused of encouraging some of the worst Black-on-Black violence in the townships during apartheid in the 1980's.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
2 May 2026
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Historian Marvin Dunn echoed that concern, describing a disconnect among younger Black people who did not live through — and in many cases were never deeply taught about — the violence, intimidation and systemic barriers that shaped earlier generations’ fight for the ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
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Jackson's death was later declared a homicide at the hands of Murray, who administered the fatal dose of Propofol.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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More than two decades after a North Carolina teen died in what was considered a hit-and-run, investigators now say a police officer has been identified as a person of interest in the homicide case.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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She was booked early the next morning and, according to a law enforcement source, Spears’ blood was drawn at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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Hillsborough sheriff’s investigators found what tested positive for blood in the apartment Limon and Abugharbieh shared with a third roommate in the Avalon Heights apartments, an off-campus complex where USF students live.—
Tony Marrero,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Nearly a quarter-century after rap star Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot to death, a man admitted in court Monday to a role in a killing that stymied investigators for decades.—
Jennifer Peltz,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Bryant is the only defendant to admit his guilt in the rap icon’s decades-old killing.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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