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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 The goal is to build AI tools to help artists create new music that doesn't run afoul of copyright, name and likeness rights, the companies said. Tim Baysinger, Axios, 28 Oct. 2024 Legal experts have broadly warned the group’s plan paying $1 million to voters likely runs afoul of federal law, which prohibits anyone from offering money or other rewards to entice Americans to vote or register to vote. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 The Justice Department has sent a letter to tech billionaire Elon Musk’s super PAC, America PAC, warning that its $1 million daily giveaway in battleground states may run afoul of federal law, a source familiar with the matter said. David Ingram, NBC News, 23 Oct. 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 13 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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