foist

[foist]

verb (used with object)

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

   to foist inferior merchandise on a customer.

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

   to foist political views into a news story.

foist

/ fɔɪst /

verb

1. to sell or pass off (something, esp an inferior article) as genuine, valuable, etc

2. to insert surreptitiously or wrongfully

Other Word Forms

• unfoisted 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