Afoul

/əˈfaʊl/ · adverb

Meaning

(archaic, principally nautical) In a state of collision or entanglement..

Definitions by Sense

1. (archaic, principally nautical) In a state of collision or entanglement.
2. (with of) In a state of entanglement or conflict (with).

Example Sentences

The ships’ lines and sails were all afoul.

1849, William F. Lynch, The Naval Officer, Chapter 2, in Graham’s Magazine, Volume 34, Number 3, March 1849, The atmosphere was soon thick and stifling, and the crews were working their guns with the energy of desperation, when a severe concussion, followed by a harsh and grating sound, told that the ships were afoul.

After paying out chain, we swung clear, but our anchors were no doubt afoul of hers.

He had a knack for running afoul of the law.

What the devil’s the matter with me? I don’t stand right on my legs. Coming afoul of that old man has a sort of turned me wrong side out.

A hemispheric axiom has it that when a dictator falls afoul of Washington, his opponents are emboldened to try to topple him.

Kings came to hear [Vivaldi’s] concerts but in the end he ran afoul of the Pope’s nuncio and fell out of favor, presumably for neglecting to say Mass […]

He committed acts which put him afoul of Empire law, details classified, twenty-six years ago.

Synonyms for afoul

Antonyms for afoul

Related Words

Word Forms

• more afoul
• most afoul

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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