foiled

¹ American  

[foild] / fɔɪld /

verb

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

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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 American  

[foild] / fɔɪld /

adjective

Architecture.

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

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Other Word Forms

• unfoiled
  adjective

Etymology

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

"Most of what they stole were graded cards, a load of single cards and a load of sealed, foiled packs. Collection boxes ranging from £40 to £300."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Of all the species they have tried to bank, Ellyn said Juniper had foiled them three years in a row.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Mossadegh foiled the arrest attempt, and the streets filled with clashing factions.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Last week, Chinese border police foiled an effort by two men attempting to smuggle 500 pounds of silver into the country from Hong Kong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

Her son had gone, and her lover, and there was nothing left Even the promise to return had foiled her futile grasp.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

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