1 foul play | Definition of foul play

foul play

noun

Definition of foul play

: violence especially : murder

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Synonyms for foul play

Synonyms

blood, homicide, murder, rubout, slaying

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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

There is no indication of foul play at this point in the investigation. Carol Robinson | [email protected], al, "Search continues for missing Auburn University grad student last seen on restaurant video," 22 Aug. 2019 While there's still no indication of foul play, questions have been swirling around the death of Epstein since last Saturday when he was found unresponsive in his federal jail cell. NBC News, "Jeffrey Epstein's autopsy found broken neck bone, source says," 15 Aug. 2019 The medical examiner’s preliminary report on her death did not reveal any signs of trauma or foul play. Evan Macdonald, cleveland.com, "State taking final steps to revoke license of Cleveland daycare 2-month-old girl attended before she died," 9 Aug. 2019 The sheriff’s Homicide Unit investigates all in-custody deaths, but its involvement does not indicate foul play or suspicions circumstances. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Death of inmate was accidental, officials say," 8 Aug. 2019 There were no signs of foul play, the sheriff’s office said. Kieran Nicholson, The Denver Post, "Man, 27, pronounced dead at hospital after being pulled from Boulder Creek," 7 Aug. 2019 There is no indication of foul play at this point in the investigation. Carol Robinson | [email protected], al, "21-year-old Auburn University student missing since Saturday," 21 Aug. 2019 And yet the story seemed to concentrate on the broken hyoid bone to paint a picture of possible foul play... Oliver Darcy, CNN, "WaPo article fuels Epstein conspiracies, but experts say evidence paper presented consistent with suicide," 16 Aug. 2019 The official told NBC News that there is nothing at this point to suggest foul play. NBC News, "After Epstein found dead, lawmakers demand answers, justice for alleged victims," 10 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foul play.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of foul play

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for foul play

foul play

noun

English Language Learners Definition of foul play

: criminal violence or murder
: unfair or dishonest acts

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More from Merriam-Webster on foul play

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with foul play

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for foul play

Spanish Central: Translation of foul play

Nglish: Translation of foul play for Spanish Speakers