FOILED Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

foiled

verb

Definition of foiled

past tense of foil

as in frustrated

to prevent from achieving a goal in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans

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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.

Recent Examples of foiled After building an action camera capable of tracking speedy cyclists and skiers, HoverAir decided to tackle a foe that had foiled other consumer drone manufacturers. — Max Cea, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Ghost Rider wound up in the Smithsonian’s collection anyway, a monument to grand ambition foiled by user error. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The terrorist plot was foiled after an FBI informant supplied the suspect with an AK-47 rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026 In 2022, internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare also said that the use of security keys had foiled a phishing attempt that tricked a few employees into entering their passwords into a fake login form. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 Miami’s first possession was foiled when Willis threw high and missed Bell, who was open. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Years ago, William had plotted to pollute the the ley lines — the source of all witches and warlocks’ magical powers — which was foiled by a Mary, Graves and their coven sister Tamora (Keegan Connor Tracy). — Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 Counsel was enraged that his gambit was foiled by one jury holdout on the insanity argument. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 Those regulations for liquids in carry-ons stem from 2006, when British officials foiled a plot to bring liquid explosives on flights. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled

Verb

Now, however, a number of fans are frustrated with how the team has gone about honoring the terms.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 20 Oct. 2026
In the comments section, one resident was frustrated but circumspect.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of frustrated

Verb

The loss thwarted Cleveland’s chance at a World Series championship, extending its drought to 78 years.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of thwarted

Verb

Creating lightweight device Neuroscientists studying behavioral brain activity have long been hampered by tethered equipment that kept laboratory animals locked in place.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
That uncertainty leaves the Chargers trying to get anything out of an offense hampered by the limitations of what's available to them right now in what increasingly looks like a lost season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hampered

Verb

On a lesser show, Lee would have thrown Dale a meaningful look, baffled that the material world was aligning with the woo-woo.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Beyond being frustrated with the secrecy, locals said they were baffled by the lack of specifics and clarity the stakeholders had about the project, per the records.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of baffled

Verb

In 2026, Keiko Fujimori narrowly defeated a left-wing candidate to win the Peruvian presidency, while most recently, in Colombia, conservative attorney Abelardo de la Espriella bested left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Since Baker Mayfield signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, the Panthers have defeated their division rivals just once in the past seven meetings, including Carolina’s 43-13 blowout loss at home Sunday.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeated

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foil

foiled

foiling

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Style

“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of foiled

verb

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