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

Example Sentences

“The city pressed private property into public service, foisting the cost of its coronavirus response onto housing providers.”

From Los Angeles Times

Lambie said Reform was focused on merit and did not want to "foist various minority groups into positions".

From BBC

It's a direct transfer of free time hours from a woman to a man, due mostly to men being able to foist housework off on women.

From Salon

Long delays will mean shippers will be trying to foist mushy brown bananas on consumers who might reject them.

From Salon

Happiness with your choice is most evident when you’re not trying to foist it onto someone else or make the choices of others into a weird crusade.

From Los Angeles Times