1
: in or into conflict with
ran afoul of the law
2
: in or into collision or entanglement with

Examples of afoul of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These Marijuana Strains Might Help • Leveraging drug courts and the criminal justice system with the aim of providing drug treatment, job training and stable housing to prevent the stigma of arrest records for low-level dealers or recreational users who run afoul of the law. Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 The Justice Department, which had warned Musk’s super PAC that its offer may run afoul of federal election law, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. David Ingram, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2024 Starbucks also ran afoul of its union last year after reports circulated online that stores were banning Pride displays. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 21 Oct. 2024 In other words, moderators in Reddit who remove comments that run afoul of their own political views. Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for afoul of 

Word History

Etymology

afoul "fouled, tangled," from a- entry 1 + foul entry 1

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afoul of was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near afoul of

Cite this Entry

“Afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afoul%20of. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

afoul of

preposition
1
: in or into collision or entanglement with
one ship ran afoul of the other
2
: in or into conflict with
they fell afoul of the law
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