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Definitions

foul

[foul] / faʊl /
ADJECTIVE
disgusting, dirty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fetid filthy hateful horrid nasty putrid rotten vicious vile wicked
STRONG
base contaminated gross nauseating offensive polluted rank repellent revolting stinking sullied tainted
WEAK
abhorrent abominable despicable detestable disgraceful dishonorable egregious heinous icky impure infamous iniquitous loathsome malodorous mucky nefarious noisome notorious raunchy repulsive scandalous shameful squalid unclean yecchy yucky
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent fresh good nice pleasant pure sweet
STRONG
delightful pleasing
WEAK
fragrant inoffensive wonderful
ADJECTIVE
vulgar, offensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abusive dirty filthy nasty
STRONG
blue gross low profane
WEAK
blasphemous coarse foul-mouthed indecent lewd obscene raunchy scatological scurrilous smutty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean decent kind moral pure sterile
STRONG
happy
WEAK
fair fragrant good honest incorrupt innocent inoffensive just pleasing wonderful
ADJECTIVE
corrupt, dishonest
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dirty vicious
STRONG
crooked
WEAK
fraudulent inequitable monstrous shady underhand underhanded unfair unjust unscrupulous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
nice
WEAK
clean fair fragrant good honest incorrupt innocent inoffensive just moral pleasing pure wonderful
NOUN
infraction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
breach error infringement offense violation
STRONG
encroachment slip
WEAK
faux pas
Antonyms
STRONGEST
obedience
VERB
make or become dirty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
catch choke clog contaminate pollute twist
STRONG
befoul begrime besmear besmirch block defile desecrate discolor ensnare entangle fill jam profane smear smudge snarl soil spot stain sully taint tarnish
Antonyms
STRONGEST
clean free purify release unblock
STRONG
fix honor let go sanctify
WEAK
sterilize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In one viral TikTok video, members of a senior-living community accuse their ex-friend of foul play: taking tiles out of turn and refusing to reveal her “winning” hands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Someone noticed a foul odor coming from the car and detectives arrived at the tow yard to investigate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The VAR intervened in to tell the referee that the foul happened inside the area, which made it a penalty.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Public interest groups cried foul, citing the millions of dollars spent by industry lobbyists.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

“Are you actually suggesting, child, that a foul beast deserves the same regard as a human being?” he asked.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

Vocabulary lists containing foul

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"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act I

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