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.
But the Bagel mix into South Korea reported running afoul of authorities. Gawon Bae, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025 Bednar argues that the Trump Administration’s deferred resignation program, which effectively places employees on leave while continuing to pay them, could also run afoul of this statute. Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Feb. 2025 Generally, most after-school programs need a faculty sponsor to be permitted to form on campus, and teachers may be too concerned about running afoul of the order to agree to sponsor a GSA club. Nico Lang, Them, 31 Jan. 2025 Other actions mentioned in the email could run afoul of civil service laws, which are intended to safeguard most federal employees from political pressure and interference, as well as union contracts. Chris Cameron, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025 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 16 Feb. 2025.

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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