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

I’m thinking this moment might be ideal to dig deep, to discover a new way to understand and be with isolation, disappointment, foiled plans, and aspirations—and, yes, chronic uncertainty.

From Nautilus

At least two of these militia members were later arrested for the foiled plot to kidnap Whitmer.

From FiveThirtyEight

They were called La Red Avispa (The Wasp Network) and claim to have successfully foiled a number of threats against the island.

From The Daily Beast

And it claimed responsibility for a 2010 cargo plane bomb plot foiled by British intelligence.

From The Daily Beast

A few days later, an Associated Press story reported that Western intelligence agencies had foiled an AQAP plot.

From The Daily Beast

In 2002, an Islamist plot to poison the London underground with ricin was foiled as well.

From The Daily Beast

But then the Bangladeshi whose bomb plot was foiled yesterday turned his aim to the New York Fed.

From The Daily Beast

Now, jealousy and perception awoke together—at one sweeping glance backward, she saw herself slighted—foiled—duped!

From Project Gutenberg

He is a dangerous man, and will be more dangerous after being again foiled by me as he has been to-day.

From Project Gutenberg

They were foiled by the valour of the British seamen who, under a heavy fire, grappled the blazing ships and towed them ashore.

From Project Gutenberg

Feinting with his left, the Mauler clinched heavily with his right, but Ralph foiled the attack with a clever half-nelson.

From Project Gutenberg

The attempt was foiled, but night had fallen before Gary found where the liquor was hidden.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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