foiled

verb

Definition of foilednext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 Some storekeepers’ plans were foiled. — Dan Greene, New Yorker, 20 June 2026 The plot was foiled when a suspect’s mother alerted police, court documents said. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 20 June 2026 McTominay’s next bid was foiled when his shot deflected off a closing Chadi Riad and into the side netting. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026 The rally would play out, Shnaider would make the first move and either make an error or be foiled by Chwalińska’s equally remarkable ability to turn defense into attack. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 4 June 2026 Niger’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack in Niamey was foiled and that 20 suspects were arrested along with weapons and ammunition. — Wilson McMakin, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Outside of two one-night reigns foiled by Money in the Bank cash-ins, that’s the shortest World Heavyweight title reign since the title was brought back in May 2023. — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 The court records paint a portrait of an elaborate scheme that investigators foiled in the lead up to Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026 Comcast’s previous attempt to acquire Rupert Murdoch’s 20th Century Fox was foiled by Disney’s own master dealmaker, Bob Iger, who paid a handsome $71 billion in 2018. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
  1. frustrated
  2. thwarted
  3. hampered
  4. baffled
  5. defeated
Verb
  • Some women are frustrated, worried they are being left behind.
    — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Yet from No Child Left Behind through the push for the Common Core into today’s zeal for science of reading, policy leaders are frustrated that the version of policy that occurs in the classroom does not match their vision.
    — Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • Nicolas Pepe had a shot from roughly 10 yards out that was thwarted by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nyland with his leg.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
  • The development of lifesaving medications can be thwarted by too much caution in not tolerating some potential side effects.
    — Dipesh Navsaria, The Conversation, 29 June 2026
Definition of thwarted
Verb
  • Chwalińska took a medical timeout for an ankle injury at the end of the game and was clearly hampered by it for the rest of the match.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 June 2026
  • Securing reservations at elite restaurants and bars has become a competitive, multi-billion dollar market, often hampered by bots and fragmented systems.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Definition of hampered
Verb
  • Pz’ spends much of his proper debut, No Turning Back, equally baffled by his good fortune and ready to fasten it to his side with a Gucci strap before anyone else can take it.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 July 2026
  • His focus on the voting bill, instead of signing one that tackles a top issue for voters, has left some GOP strategists baffled.
    — David Hickey, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Definition of baffled
Verb
  • Norway defeated Brazil, while England emerged victorious against Mexico, taking them both through to the quarter-finals.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Without a pole, hook, or tree to climb, squirrels are left defeated and bereft.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of defeated

Browse Nearby Words

foil
foiled
foiling
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Cite this Entry

“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foiled

Nglish: Translation of foiled for Spanish Speakers

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