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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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 The plot was foiled by law enforcement before any attack could be carried out. —
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled. —Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026 The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026 The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foiled
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 Then in 2022, Iran paid two members of an Eastern European criminal syndicate to kill the Iranian dissident and journalist Masih Alinejad at her home in Brooklyn; this attack was also foiled. —Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026 The other three, one in Clinton, and two in Kenosha, were foiled. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 5 Mar. 2026 The plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai. —ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foiled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
Verb
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But Brown has seemed to often be frustrated by his role in the team’s offense, which continued last fall as his production dipped and the offense as a whole sputtered.— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
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The user seemingly was frustrated by Paramount‘s decision not to release the film in theaters and opting for a streaming release.— Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The draconian rule of law under Pinochet also thwarted the young director’s cinematic ambitions.— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
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During clutch time over multiple possessions, Jokic was thwarted.— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There’s an iPad for everyone, but the platform as a whole has felt stuck for a long time, with fast and capable hardware hampered by software that doesn’t take full advantage of it.— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
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He’s since lost quickness and, because of his persistent injuries – he’s been hampered by hamstring issues over the last year and was questionable for Game 3 with calf tightness – never seems to have his full burst on the floor.— Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Perry says that the label wanted to call the record 4 Non Blondes, which baffled her.— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026
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The Brotherly Bultema Battery of junior pitcher Maddux and sophomore catcher Nolan had the South Lake hitters baffled.— Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Xander Bogaerts and Bryce Johnson delivered two-out RBIs as the San Diego Padres defeated the Angels 2-1 on Sunday.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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Also defeated was Vladimir Putin, who especially sought an Orbán victory to keep his firewall in the EU, where Hungary had used its power to block assistance to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia; no longer.— New York Daily News, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/foiled. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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