FOIL Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'foil' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle , balk , frustrate , and thwart . While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort. // foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

Q: When would 'baffle' be a good substitute for 'foil'?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling. // baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

Q: When is 'balk' a more appropriate choice than 'foil'?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances. // officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

Q: In what contexts can 'frustrate' take the place of 'foil'?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil , frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent. // frustrated attempts at government reform

Q: When might 'thwart' be a better fit than 'foil'?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing. // the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

foil 1 of 2

verb

ˈfȯi(-ə)l

Definition of foil

as in to frustrate

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

foil

2 of 2

noun

as in contrast

something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb foil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle, balk, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When would baffle be a good substitute for foil?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is balk a more appropriate choice than foil?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can frustrate take the place of foil?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When might thwart be a better fit than foil?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

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 foil

Verb

The disease still makes lots of people feel awful for a week or two, foiling their summer vacations and forcing them to miss work and school. — Rob Stein, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Though the plot was foiled, investigators say Haji Zada pledged loyalty to ISIS and indoctrinated her family with ISIS ideology. — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 30 July 2026

Noun

Government, portrayed as demonic and evil, joined liberal culture as the new foil. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 Metallic teal foil sweeps across a neutral base, giving this otherwise simple manicure an artsy edge that feels effortless on short nails. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil

Verb

Conservative political analyst Melik Abdul agreed with Tindell, telling CNN as a Black Mississippi native he has been frustrated by how Crump has zeroed in on race in the Wells case.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Jolly has pitched himself to voters as someone offering a tent for Floridians who are independents, Republicans and Democrats frustrated with the status quo of a political zeitgeist that prioritizes polarization and stokes riots rather than uniting.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Noun

American college sports, by contrast, have historically served as the major development system for professional football.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
In contrast to the standard seven-course tasting menu, starting from £225 per head (~$300), the flexible à la carte menu allows diners to experience a multi-course, three-star masterclass for under £100 (~$135).

— Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of contrast

Verb

After Jackson helped thwart a terror attack in Times Square in 2010, to his surprise, Parton came to visit him again after seeing him on TV.

— Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
As the writer and the actor spend time together, and the narrator tries to pry open some small window into M’s psyche, the process of gathering material is constantly being thwarted by M’s casual instructability.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of thwart

Noun

The Essence palette features Antique White (011W), a soft neutral that adds balance and ease, and Western Orange (209-4DB), a warm, tonal complement.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026
Many health systems have started to adopt social prescribing not only as a complement to medical treatment, but as a preventative approach to reduce the need for more intensive care.

— Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of complement

Verb

The scene never fails to baffle the senses as the path rises up about a thousand feet from the valley floor.

— Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
She is baffled by the way her friends Moe and Fumina rail against their parents, especially when Yuko is always holding back at home, forever walking on eggshells.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of baffle

Noun

The co-founder of FIZZNESS, a wellness supplement company, was spotted at Strahan’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2023 and attended Isabella’s high school graduation that same year.

— Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
The collagen supplement people are adding to coffee and smoothies Many kids aren't getting enough protein.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of supplement

Verb

As families wait for news about their relatives, damaged roads, power outages and fears of further flooding have hampered rescue efforts.

— Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026
Analysts point out that on one hand, droughts can hamper hydroelectric generation, while high temperatures raise cooling demand and strain power grids.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

Noun

From ash trees on the Appalachian Trail to century-old elms in Vermont’s capital, emerging treatments and breeding programs offer a rare, hopeful counterpoint to widespread insect and disease damage.

— Amanda Swinhart, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
In counterpoint stands the artist herself, who does not read, write, or speak.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of counterpoint

Browse Nearby Words

foibles

foil

foiled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of foil

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on foil

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