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Definition of befoul

befoul

/bɪˈfaʊl/
be · foul
Adjective:befouled
•
Past Simple:befouled
•
Past Participle:befouled
•
Present Participle:befouling
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befoul Lexical Profile

befoul Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To make dirty, filthy, or polluted.

Example

"Industrial runoff continued to befoul the river until stricter environmental regulations were enforced."

2

To damage, tarnish, or dishonor (a person's reputation, character, or name).

Example

"He refused to let baseless rumors befoul the integrity of the research institute."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for befoul

• Nearby Words

befittingly
before
beforehand
befoul
befriend
befriender
befuddle

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English befoulen, going back to Old English befylan ('to make foul, defile'), formed from the intensifying prefix be- and fylan ('to make foul'), from ful ('foul, dirty').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Befoul. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/befoul
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