foils 1 of 2

noun

plural of foil
as in contrasts
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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foils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of foil
as in frustrates
to prevent from achieving a goal in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 foils
Noun
Since their roof scene in season, Abbot and Noah Wyle’s character have been set up as foils to each other. — Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026 During Clark’s rookie season, the three established themselves as her foils through cheap shots, hard fouls and subtweets. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026 Ten minutes later, a breath of wind arrived and the Group B boats were onto the foils and were at least achieving foiling for some of the time. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 21 June 2026 The vessel’s sensors feed information about wave conditions to software that then adjusts the foils up to 50 times per second to ensure a smooth ride. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 June 2026 But in addition to their function as comedic foils, the duo also help reinforce the show’s message that friendship is another infinite resource that helps pull us through the toughest moments of our lives. — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 16 June 2026 There the whole family encounters their corresponding foils from the well-off Oleson family, but Laura and Mary's encounter with young Nellie proves the most explosive. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026 Plus, unlike traditional methods of coloring panels that often use 'diffusing foils' that scatter light everywhere and cause power losses of up to 50%, MorphoColor uses a precise 3D photonic structure on the glass surface designed specifically for high transmission. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 Apr. 2026 Though Boys sometimes sees Watt take searing leads reminiscent of McCartney’s ’60s and ’70s guitar foils, like George Harrison, just as often, McCartney is playing almost everything himself. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Verb
Few passengers can show original receipts, which foils their claim. — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 26 Jan. 2026 At their elite school the students play a game like soccer during which the boys have the ball, but the witches can interfere by using their powers to make the field icy or create a wind that foils the opposition team. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026 So give a warm welcome to The Life of a Showgirl, Swift’s 12th studio album, which foils The Tortured Poets Department in a few major ways. — Jaeden Pinder, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foils
  1. complements
  2. frustrates
  3. supplements
  4. thwarts
  5. hampers
  6. baffles
  7. defeats
Noun
  • China and Russia have both built terrestrial complements to their satellite navigation systems, creating layered resilience that the United States still lacks.
    — Mariam Sorond, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The heat- and wear-resistant PBT keycaps can take a real beating, and the all-white backlighting complements the overall vibe quite well.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 25 June 2026
Definition of complements
Verb
  • What frustrates me is when the CTA isn’t there.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • Part of what fascinates and frustrates as regards Ginsberg is that for all of those thick anthologies, propriety forces me to concede that many of the poems simply aren’t that good.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Definition of frustrates
Noun
  • Third-Party Testing and Certification Protein powders and other supplements are not subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation in the way medications are, so their quality and safety are not guaranteed.
    — Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 3 July 2026
  • In addition is a regime of far less appetizing supplements—daily Epsom salts, bitterdrops, and other shots—which aid in the detoxifying process.
    — Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
Definition of supplements
Verb
  • As a consequence of its sheer polyphonic complexity, Moby-Dick thwarts simple interpretation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • In this way, immigration enforcement policy thwarts reproductive autonomy.
    — Jallicia Jolly, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
Definition of thwarts
Verb
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 July 2026
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Definition of hampers
Verb
  • Using humane methods like squirrel baffles and tree nets can effectively keep squirrels out of your fruit trees.
    — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
  • Multiple baffles within the bladder help keep the liquid from sloshing around excessively, while a wide waterproof zipper across the top makes for easy filling, cleaning, and adding of electrolytes.
    — Ben Coxworth May 11, New Atlas, 11 May 2026
Definition of baffles
Verb
  • The cocktail also remained effective against viral variants known to evade single-antibody treatments, demonstrating that combining two antibodies can overcome resistance that defeats either one alone.
    — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Brazil defeats Japan in the final minute, 2-1 Brazil is through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after a last-minute goal broke Japanese hearts in Houston in the first game of the day.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Definition of defeats

Browse Nearby Words

foiling
foils
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of foils for Spanish Speakers

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