1
as in to stain
to make dirty
unsightly mud and slush befouls the family car every winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
the enemy had befouled the water in all of the area's wells with animal carcasses
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of befoul
Hundreds of women will dress up against the cold on a gray November day to protest a pipeline that could befoul their water and will almost certainly lead to the final befouling of the planet.
—
Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
But dip even the most blood-befouled corset in a tub of warm water and swish, swish, swish — Lucy’s lace nightgown, or a doctor’s lab coat — is restored to its original snowy sheen.
—Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 24 Oct. 2019
The poison of authoritarianism is as pervasive as the cloud of sulfur dioxide that befouled the air in East Germany.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 26 Feb. 2020
Michael Kuta, 26, of the 700 block of South Addison Avenue, Villa Park, was cited for disorderly conduct – befouling property at 1:15 a.m. Nov. 28 after he was observed urinating on bushes in the 100 block of South York Street.
—Graydon Megan, chicagotribune.com, 6 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for befoul 
Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2022
But dip even the most blood-befouled corset in a tub of warm water and swish, swish, swish — Lucy’s lace nightgown, or a doctor’s lab coat — is restored to its original snowy sheen.
—Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 24 Oct. 2019
The poison of authoritarianism is as pervasive as the cloud of sulfur dioxide that befouled the air in East Germany.
—Kyle Smith, National Review, 26 Feb. 2020
Michael Kuta, 26, of the 700 block of South Addison Avenue, Villa Park, was cited for disorderly conduct – befouling property at 1:15 a.m. Nov. 28 after he was observed urinating on bushes in the 100 block of South York Street.
—Graydon Megan, chicagotribune.com, 6 Dec. 2019
See all Example Sentences for befoul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befoul
Verb
-
Make Glass Shower Doors Sparkle The entire aesthetic of your bathroom can take a big hit the moment your glass shower door begins to look streaky, stained, or foggy.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
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As Shilpa notes though, the plastic has a tendency to stain, especially when slicing carrots or beets.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appétit,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Or that clean energy sources pollute the environment more than fossil fuels.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
28 Jan. 2025
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These substances can endanger human health and the environment, polluting air, soil, groundwater, and the ocean.—
Francine Kiefer,
The Christian Science Monitor,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The charred footprint of the Eaton fire, which blackened more than 14,000 acres, is the most worrisome.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
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In one corner, fires from ancient rituals had left the limestone ceiling blackened by soot.—
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
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Having dirtied himself in the catacombs beneath the papacy’s home, our scrappy archaeologist emerges into none other than a resplendent re-creation of the Sistine Chapel.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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After opening the game by driving Baltimore 73 yards for a score, culminating in his 16-yard touchdown pass to Rashod Bateman, Jackson sullied his second possession by sailing a ball over Bateman’s head that was picked off by Bills safety Taylor Rapp.—
Michael Silver,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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That the prestige of the office is sullied by his grasp for profits.—
Eric Heavner,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Images illustrating the reality versus carefully edited Instagram selfies have somewhat besmirched Santorini’s romantic reputation of late.—
Helen Iatrou,
AFAR Media,
16 Dec. 2024
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There’s a new promo picture going around showing a Dusty Milligan with facial hair (see: above) — and listen, not to besmirch his infinity-pool jawline, but the dude looks so much better with that scruff.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
8 Nov. 2024
Verb
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His baby mothers began feuding as a result of this announcement, with one of them, Maranda Johnson, soiling his vehicles.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
21 Jan. 2025
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Warm or hot water should be reserved for towels and bedding, cotton undergarments, and clothing heavily soiled with oil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Instead of merely mucking it up, Vancouver began to muck its way into the game.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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Drillers used mucking poles to vault between platforms because setting a boot in the muck was a risk.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
21 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near befoul
Cite this Entry
“Befoul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befoul. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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