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

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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 Cold War-era Patriot interceptor missile has developed a considerable reputation over the years – not least for its role in foiling Iraqi ballistic missiles during the Gulf War of 1990-91. — David Szondy july 22, New Atlas, 23 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

Noun

Beirich's arrest is the latest in the DOJ's case against the civil rights group long seen as an essential foil to the Ku Klux Klan and which historically worked with federal authorities to build cases against extremists. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Jason thus dismembers Cassidy’s corpse, wraps his bits up in tin foil, and stores them away in the freezer. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil

Verb

During the joint practices against Tampa Bay, Bailey frustrated the Buccaneers’ offensive line with his lightning-fast speed off the edge, along with his penchant for consistently getting into the backfield.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Daron Acemoglu is frustrated by the artificial intelligence debate — and not because the MIT economist thinks the technology is dangerous.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related ⁠to Covid-19 research grants.

— Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related to COVID-19 research grants.

— Nate Raymond, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of thwart

Noun

Violin player Nina de Vitry provided an especially tasteful complement on this ballad, making one fiddle sound like a whole string section.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
In January, Meera Bhatia, Fabletics’ President said that the company had reached a point where stores were becoming a strategic complement to its digital origins rather than simply another sales channel.

— Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 17 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

And a growing number of cisgender men are turning to testosterone-boosting supplements and synthetic testosterone, often delivered via injections, gels or patches, in a bid to up their levels.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
Some dermatologists also recommend a probiotic supplement as a low-lift addition to an eczema-management routine, alongside topical treatment.

— Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of supplement

Verb

Collapsed buildings East Nusa Tenggara Police Chief Rudi Darmoko said power outages hampered the spread of information about the impact of the earthquake in cities and villages, complicating search and rescue efforts.

— Yacob Herin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The attack is hampered further by uncertainty over when left-winger Kaoru Mitoma will be available to return from hamstring surgery.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of hamper

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“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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