foiled

¹

[ foild ]

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of foil.

adjective

1. prevented from succeeding; thwarted; blocked:

   A woman is now being questioned in connection with the foiled terror plot to attack churches in Paris.

foiled

²

[ foild ]

adjective

, Architecture.

1. ornamented with foils (arcs or rounded spaces), as a gable, spandrel, or balustrade.

Other Words From

• un·foiled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foiled¹

First recorded in 1300–50 as a verb, for an earlier sense; foil ¹( def ) + -ed ¹( def ), and in 1680–90 as an adjective; foil ¹( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Origin of foiled²

First recorded in 1655–65; foil ² + -ed ³

Example Sentences

An estimated 25 people were killed in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday alone in what police say was a foiled attempt at a gang invasion of a wealthy neighbourhood.

From BBC

Canada’s former justice minister has confirmed to the BBC he was the target of a recent Iranian assassination attempt that was foiled.

From BBC

However, some trucks seem extra sensitive – on my tour I see a couple foiled simply by rough roads.

From BBC

Austrian authorities have announced a third arrest in connection with the foiled conspiracy to attack three now-canceled Taylor Swift concerts.

From Los Angeles Times

Ferguson explained that his original plan to “go as a family of skeletons” was foiled after his elder son changed his mind “a few times,” eventually settling on going as a tarantula.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• barred
• blocked
• closed
• confined
• controlled
• defined
• deprived
• prescribed
• reduced
• restrained
• secured
• shortened
• tethered