foxing

verb

Definition of foxingnext
present participle of fox
1
as in puzzling
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty she won't be foxed by such telemarketing tricks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outfoxing
to get the better of through cleverness no confidence man will ever fox me and get my hard-earned money

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 foxing Aged glass can develop dark spots and edge deterioration known as foxing. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 That will require out-foxing Patriots defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr, whose pressure game plans suffocated the Chargers and Texans the past two weeks. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foxing
  1. puzzling
  2. outfoxing
  3. baffling
  4. deceiving
  5. perplexing
  6. defeating
  7. confusing
  8. outwitting
Verb
  • Over the course of her prolific career, Zambreno has written 10 books — each as puzzling and surprising as the last.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The bizarre body plan Before this discovery, there was a puzzling 80-million-year gap in the fossil record.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of puzzling
Verb
  • Both candidates attempted to court voters by outfoxing each other in their support of the then-former president and the race became increasingly negative.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of outfoxing
Verb
  • Despite some protests about a dog contributing to the game, Buddy — clad in a bright blue jersey and two pairs of basketball kicks — scores baffling basket after baffling basket, leaving the other team shocked.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of baffling
Verb
  • Your eyes aren't deceiving you — the little delivery robots rolling down Washington DC streets are becoming a more common sight.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Oura is facing accusations of deceiving customers about the accuracy of its sleep-tracking features on its popular smart rings.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceiving
Verb
  • Gibson Nash, 21, was charged with first-degree murder after a series of perplexing events eventually led police to his mother’s bloodied body.
    — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But there were also perplexing moments that punctured the gravitas of the event (even for an event built around hand-to-hand combat).
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026
Definition of perplexing
Verb
  • DeSoto won the Class 6A Division II state championship last season, defeating Southlake Carroll in the state semifinals.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Boise State started the season 1-1, losing 42-21 to Central Michigan before defeating Portland State 33-22 in a pair of nonconference games.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of defeating
Verb
  • Then began the desperate, confusing search for their colleagues.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Founders frequently misjudge their business's worth, often confusing revenue with actual value.
    — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • Similar storm-clouds are now gathering around Sánchez, a canny politician known for outwitting his opponents.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
  • Bob Markle was good at outwitting violators.
    — Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of outwitting

Browse Nearby Words

foxiness
foxing
fox-trot
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on foxing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foxing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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