foist

[ foist ]
See synonyms for: foistfoisted on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of foist

1
1535–45; <Dutch dialect vuisten, derivative of vuistfist1

Other words from foist

  • un·foist·ed, adjective

Words Nearby foist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use foist in a sentence

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

    The GOP's New Health-Care Hoax | Matt Miller | December 12, 2009 | 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.

    The Fatal Dowry | Philip Massinger
  • This is hardly a changeling story, as no attempt was made to foist a false child on the parent.

    The Science of Fairy Tales | Edwin Sidney Hartland
  • Even Latin, living Latin had not the network of rules they foist upon unfortunate school-children.

    Instigations | Ezra Pound
  • 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.

    To Him That Hath | Leroy Scott
  • The part had been thrust on me one day, when Edward proposed to foist the House of Lords on our small republic.

    The Golden Age | Kenneth Grahame

British Dictionary definitions for foist

foist

/ (fɔɪst) /


verb(tr)
  1. (often foll by off or on) to sell or pass off (something, esp an inferior article) as genuine, valuable, etc

  2. (usually foll by in or into) to insert surreptitiously or wrongfully

Origin of foist

1
C16: probably from obsolete Dutch vuisten to enclose in one's hand, from Middle Dutch vuist fist

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012