befoul

verb

be·​foul bi-ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce befoul (audio)
bē-
befouled; befouling; befouls
Synonyms of befoulnext

transitive verb

1
: to make foul (as with dirt or waste)
2
: sully, soil, besmirch
scandal befouled his reputation

Synonyms of befoul

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Examples of befoul in a Sentence

pollutants that befoul the air and water unsightly mud and slush befouls the family car every winter
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
They should not be thrown, jumped off, eaten, screamed at, or otherwise befouled. — Eddie Small, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026 Capitalism is degrading us, killing us and befouling our world. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 8 June 2023 The natural world may be past saving, particularly as a habitat for the species that has so utterly befouled it, and, yet, what else is there to do but keep on keeping on? — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025 That will prevent polluted excess water being sent on estuaries east and west of the lake that have befouled waters with blue-green algae that has led to massive deaths of marine life within the past decade. — Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for befoul

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of befoul was in the 12th century

Rhymes for befoul

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Browse Nearby Words

befortune
befoul
befriend
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Cite this Entry

“Befoul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/befoul. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

befoul

verb
be·​foul bi-ˈfau̇(ə)l How to pronounce befoul (audio)
: to make dirty : soil
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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