as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foil
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The twilight of the tennis sandwich generation, foiled by the Big Three, Sinner and Alcaraz
The generation of men's players born in the 1990s who looked set to challenge Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have seen tennis pass them by.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
And through the learning experience of taking the foil off, undoing the metal and having the cork ready, there was like three or four guys that popped their corks.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Verb
But the plot was foiled by a joint effort between the SBU and the Polish internal security service (ABW).
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The twilight of the tennis sandwich generation, foiled by the Big Three, Sinner and Alcaraz
The generation of men's players born in the 1990s who looked set to challenge Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have seen tennis pass them by.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Noun
Remove the foil in the last 10 to 15 minutes to brown the food.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
And through the learning experience of taking the foil off, undoing the metal and having the cork ready, there was like three or four guys that popped their corks.
—Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
Verb
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Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.—
Michael Cuglietta,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 July 2025
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Body camera footage released after the demonstration showed police disagreed about the tactics and people were immediately frustrated with the response.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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During this year’s legislative sessions, House Republicans noted the contrast between teacher pay and student achievement.—
Carleen Johnson,
The Washington Examiner,
12 July 2025
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Four 2026 World Cup venues with roofs In terms of avoiding the heat, Infantino said that in contrast to the Club World Cup, the 2026 World Cup will have four stadiums with roofs - Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Dallas (AT&T Stadium), Houston (NRG Stadium) and Vancouver (BC Place).—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Russia's ambitions to produce more military aircraft are being thwarted by a shortage of components caused by sanctions and a growing labor shortage, it has been reported.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
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The ruling also bolsters Trump’s frequent claims that his expansive use of his executive powers has been unfairly thwarted by judicial overreach.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
Noun
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In the offseason, however, Verse has developed his speed rush as a complement.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Like 'Grape Sensation', spent flowerheads maintain their color, providing an interesting texture complement to the fresh blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Money terms and concepts continue to baffle people, many of whom are seeking answers through online searches.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Even with the other guys' admonitions not to, under any circumstances, be themselves, Dee and Charlie's improbable success in charming these scions of the Philly upper crust had the guys — and us — both baffled and anxiously awaiting an ugly twist.—
Dennis Perkins,
EW.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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So, what makes Korean collagen supplements particularly special?—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
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On their newest ships, Category One cabins are now designed specifically for solo travelers—with no single supplement.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
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One of the central concerns is whether Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service — the backbone of the country’s weather warning system — will hamper local governments and residents from staving off disaster when severe weather strikes.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Riesling is defined by its marked acidity, a perfect counterpoint to its natural sweetness and fruitiness, lending even the ripest, sweetest examples a fresh, acidic backbone.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
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The sandals’ slim shape and square toe offered a refined counterpoint to the playful print, and echoed a growing number of barely-there summer silhouettes seen recently on everyone from Julianne Moore to Demi Lovato.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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