Definition
To impose something on someone, especially something that is unwanted or fraudulent.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Verb
Synonyms
Impose, force, palm off, pass off, pawn off, thrust upon
Antonyms
Disavow, disclaim, repudiate
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | None |
| Verb | foisting, foisted, foists, foist |
| Adjective | None |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
-
The salesman tried to foist an expensive car on us, but we insisted on the more affordable model.
-
The government is trying to foist a new tax on the citizens without consulting them.
-
He tried to foist his old furniture on me, but I refused to take it.
-
The boss was always trying to foist his work on his subordinates.
Usage
The word “foist” is often used in situations where someone tries to impose something on someone else without their consent or knowledge. It is usually used in a negative context, as in cases where the thing being imposed is unwanted or fraudulent. The word “foist” can be used in a variety of settings, including sales, politics, and personal relationships.
The origin of the word “foist” is uncertain, but it is believed to come from the Dutch word “vuisten,” which means “to take in hand.” The word “foist” can be used as a transitive verb, meaning that it takes an object. For example, you can say “He foisted the responsibility for the project onto me.” The word “foist” is also sometimes used in the passive voice, as in “The blame was foisted on me.”
There are several related words to “foist” that may be of interest. For example, the noun “foister” can be used to describe someone who tries to impose something on others. The verb “unfoist” can be used to describe the act of removing something that has been imposed on someone. The prefix “dis-” can be added to the beginning of “foist” to create the word “disfoist,” which means to remove or reject something that has been imposed on someone.