foist

[ foist ]

verb (used with object)

1. to force upon or impose fraudulently or unjustifiably (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to foist inferior merchandise on a customer.

2. to bring, put, or introduce surreptitiously or fraudulently (usually followed by in or into ):

   to foist political views into a news story.

foist

/ fɔɪst /

verb

1. often foll byoff or on to sell or pass off (something, esp an inferior article) as genuine, valuable, etc
2. usually foll byin or into to insert surreptitiously or wrongfully

Other Words From

• un·foisted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foist¹

1535–45; < Dutch dialect vuisten, derivative of vuist fist ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of foist¹

C16: probably from obsolete Dutch vuisten to enclose in one's hand, from Middle Dutch vuist fist

Example Sentences

Alarmed, Graft launched a campaign against the book and another about a boy who likes to wear dresses, suggesting that their presence in the library foisted inappropriate themes on unsuspecting children.

From ProPublica

It’s easier to sell the crap you make in your spare time, and you’re more likely to need the money than you might have been a few decades ago, when you could have just foisted it all on your friends.

From Vox

They often saw those benefits as bribes to make up for the grueling expectations foisted on them.

From Digiday

“It’s going to require some important messaging to help people understand we’re not foisting the bad vaccine on you—there isn’t a bad vaccine that we would allow to stay in use,” Fernandez Lynch says.

From MIT Technology Review

Glenn Beck did it before, although the abstract noun he chose to foist on the nation was "honor."

From The Daily Beast

Shame on John McCain—and every other Republican who says the Senate health deal would foist single-payer on the country.

From The Daily Beast

Galley-foist may be the name of some dress of the period, so-called for its resemblance to the gaily bedecked Mayors-barge.

From Project Gutenberg

This is hardly a changeling story, as no attempt was made to foist a false child on the parent.

From Project Gutenberg

Even Latin, living Latin had not the network of rules they foist upon unfortunate school-children.

From Project Gutenberg

Me mudder wasn't built to stand de wear and tear, an' about de time I was foist chased off to school, she went out o' biz.

From Project Gutenberg

The part had been thrust on me one day, when Edward proposed to foist the House of Lords on our small republic.

From Project Gutenberg