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 Their schemes are foiled when real feelings enter the picture. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026 Unfortunately, the start of World War I just 20 days before the eclipse foiled the expedition. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 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 Bad weather foiled SpaceX's latest attempt to launch its massive Starship rocket from South Texas. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 July 2026 In 2013, another designer, Sang Mun, released ZXX, a typeface with four fonts camouflaged with visual noise that foiled optical character recognition software while remaining visible to humans. — Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 In April, police foiled a car-ramming plot against a synagogue and Jewish school in Houston. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026 In McBride’s work, collections of idiots and unlikable misfits strive for power and achievement and are inevitably foiled by their own flaws. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026 Sure, Lucky’s escape is nearly foiled by the fleet-of-foot federal agent, but the same could be said for dozens of similar encounters throughout the premiere, at more perilous junctures than a brief jog between immobile trailers. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
  1. frustrated
  2. thwarted
  3. hampered
  4. baffled
  5. defeated
Verb
  • But Moores would express misery in recalling ballpark-construction hassles and MLB politics that frustrated his advocacy of small-market clubs and game-day affordability.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • After all, the class was her sanctuary through a breakup, during feelings of inadequacy and when she was frustrated with work.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • 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
  • Others have genuine accessibility issues, from those who don’t live close to movie theaters to superfans thwarted by rights deals that block their geographic locations from showing a movie or series.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of thwarted
Verb
  • The lack of wreckage has hampered efforts to determine the cause of the sinking and where to focus search operations, authorities said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The shouting match ultimately ended with Anthony deciding not to testify, a decision his attorneys said hampered his ability to effectively claim self-defense in the killing.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of hampered
Verb
  • 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
  • Al Roker was baffled to come face to face with his doppelgänger on the Today show plaza.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of baffled
Verb
  • Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.
    — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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