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 Ghost Rider wound up in the Smithsonian’s collection anyway, a monument to grand ambition foiled by user error. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The terrorist plot was foiled after an FBI informant supplied the suspect with an AK-47 rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026 In 2022, internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare also said that the use of security keys had foiled a phishing attempt that tricked a few employees into entering their passwords into a fake login form. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 Miami’s first possession was foiled when Willis threw high and missed Bell, who was open. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 Years ago, William had plotted to pollute the the ley lines — the source of all witches and warlocks’ magical powers — which was foiled by a Mary, Graves and their coven sister Tamora (Keegan Connor Tracy). — Mya Copeland, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026 Counsel was enraged that his gambit was foiled by one jury holdout on the insanity argument. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 Those regulations for liquids in carry-ons stem from 2006, when British officials foiled a plot to bring liquid explosives on flights. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026 Through 1964, Sylvester pursued Tweety in a variety of shorts that found the hungry cat continuously foiled by the crafty bird. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foiled
  1. frustrated
  2. thwarted
  3. hampered
  4. baffled
  5. defeated
Verb
  • And the coach of the supposedly Super Bowl-favorite Rams is frustrated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This is in fact the same problem that has frustrated earlier attempts by the United States and its allies to stop antiship drone and missile strikes by the Houthis in Yemen.
    — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of frustrated
Verb
  • As a major bloc that has been able to apply pressure, the union has thwarted several efforts by Mamdani’s predecessors to ban the attraction, as hundreds of carriage operators make a living operating the buggies.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
  • On the next play, Bolden sacked Russell and thwarted the Crimson Tide’s chances of kicking a game-tying field goal.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of thwarted
Verb
  • The domestic economy is otherwise moribund, hampered by bad debts and a shrinking labor force.
    — RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Special teams miscues and penalties once again hampered the Rams in a game that featured three touchdown passes by Matthew Stafford and a career-best 17 catches by Puka Nacua.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hampered
Verb
  • Beyond being frustrated with the secrecy, locals said they were baffled by the lack of specifics and clarity the stakeholders had about the project, per the records.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And just last month, officials in Millcreek, Utah, were baffled to find an unknown camera installed on city property that neither the city nor police requested.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of baffled
Verb
  • The Oregon Ducks defeated Boise State 34-27 in Week 1 but have since lost to Oklahoma State and, this weekend, to UCLA.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The Valkyries defeated the defending champion Las Vegas Aces on Friday night to advance to next week’s Finals, led by an overtime scoring flurry from Gabby Williams in their 87-77 win.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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