1. (

• foil

) enhance by contrast; "In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background" ;

2. (

• thwart ,
• queer ,
• spoil ,
• scotch ,
• foil ,
• cross ,
• frustrate ,
• baffle ,
• bilk ,

) hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent" ;

3. (

• foil

) cover or back with foil; "foil mirrors" ;

1. (

• defeated ,
• disappointed ,
• discomfited ,
• foiled ,
• frustrated ,
• thwarted

) disappointingly unsuccessful; "disappointed expectations and thwarted ambitions"; "their foiled attempt to capture Calais"; "many frustrated poets end as pipe-smoking teachers"; "his best efforts were thwarted" ;