AFOOT Synonyms: 26 Similar and Opposite Words

afoot 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfu̇t

Definition of afoot

as in ongoing

being in progress or development plans are afoot for a new sports stadium in the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

afoot

2 of 2

adverb

ə-ˈfu̇t

as in under weigh

in progress although the drug just got released, research for a more effective medication is already afoot

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 afoot

Adjective

Martha-Mary Chapel, Sudbury Reverend Bryce (Toby Huss) presides over the town church, where mysterious ringing bells seem to indicate something dark is afoot. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 Moves are afoot to try to bring the club back to the borough of Barnet and a site not far from their former home, Underhill, but, for now, fans must trek across the border into neighbouring Harrow. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Neighboring Louisiana is doing only a little better than that, and a movement is afoot to restore that state’s bear population. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 The aggressive call-buying suggests gold bulls think regime change could be afoot. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 The Bagel remains open for business as usual, and Barsky said plans are still afoot to open a new location for that historic restaurant in Glenview. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026 Deadline revealed Tuesday that early-stage plans are already afoot to launch a new TV festival in Edinburgh. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2026 Climate change is an accelerant for troubles that are already afoot. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 Late-night headlights, unusual vehicle track marks or missing trees could be signs a timber thief is afoot. — Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afoot

Adjective

Amaya said there is little doubt that the ongoing El Niño is headed for an extraordinary peak intensity, given how much heat lurks just beneath the surface of the tropical Pacific, destined to rise up over time.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Regular driving brings ongoing costs including servicing, oil changes, tires and parking, while crowded campuses and urban areas can make finding a parking space a headache in itself.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of ongoing

Adjective

That sits on the books of the league’s 32 Equity investment arm, and 1/32 of any gains or losses in the entity flow through the Packers’ non-operating income.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 July 2026
True, some if the upside surprise has come from non-operating gains on holdings in huge, private AI pioneers, but not all of it.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Definition of operating

Browse Nearby Words

aflutter

afoot

afore

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Afoot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afoot. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of afoot

adjective

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes