Foist Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on December 8, 2025
Foist refers to impose something undesirable on someone by deceit or without their consent. e.g., He tried to foist his old furniture on the new homeowner.
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Foist Definitions
To pass off something fake or inferior as genuine.
The merchant tried to foist fake gems as real diamonds.
To blend something unwanted into a situation without notice.
He foisted his personal opinions into the professional meeting.
To push something onto someone by misrepresentation.
The salesman foisted expensive add-ons as mandatory purchases.
To force someone to accept something unwanted.
The organizer tried to foist extra responsibilities on the volunteer.
To unload something undesirable onto someone else.
He foisted his old car on his brother as a gift.
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To trick someone into dealing with something problematic.
They foisted the failing project on the new manager.
To secretly add something to a group or collection.
Someone foisted a few forged paintings into the museum's collection.
To pass off as genuine, valuable, or worthy
"I can usually tell whether a poet ... is foisting off on us what he'd like to think is pure invention" (J.D. Salinger).
To impose (something or someone unwanted) upon another by coercion or trickery
They had extra work foisted on them because they couldn't say no to the boss.
To insert fraudulently or deceitfully
Foisted unfair provisions into the contract.
(transitive) To introduce or insert surreptitiously or without warrant.
(transitive) To force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit.
(transitive) To pass off as genuine or worthy.
A thief or pickpocket.
(obsolete) A light and fast-sailing ship.
(obsolete) A cask for wine.
Fustiness; mustiness.
A light and fast-sailing ship.
A foister; a sharper.
A trick or fraud; a swindle.
To insert surreptitiously, wrongfully, or without warrant; to interpolate; to pass off (something spurious or counterfeit) as genuine, true, or worthy; - usually followed by in.
Lest negligence or partiality might admit or foist in abuses and corruption.
When a scripture has been corrupted . . . by a supposititious foisting of some words in.
To force onto another;
He foisted his work on me
Insert surreptitiously or without warrant
To introduce or insert something stealthily or dishonestly.
She managed to foist counterfeit notes into the cash register.
To make others accept something by pretending it's necessary.
The leader foisted strict rules on the team, claiming they were essential.
To insert improperly or by force.
The developer foisted unpopular software updates on users.
Foist Snonyms
Smuggle in
To secretly introduce something into a place.
He smuggled in snacks to the movie theater.
Infiltrate
To introduce something stealthily into a group or place.
She infiltrated her radical ideas into the club's agenda.
Slip in
To insert something quietly or unnoticed.
He slipped in some extra charges on the bill.
Insert
To introduce something into a larger whole.
The editor inserted a few controversial lines into the article.
Lumber with
To burden someone with something cumbersome or unwanted.
He was lumbered with the old stock from the warehouse.
Impose
To forcibly place responsibilities or beliefs on someone.
The boss tends to impose his unrealistic expectations on the staff.
Saddle with
To burden someone with an unwanted responsibility or problem.
She was saddled with the task of cleaning up after the event.
Pass off
To deceive someone into accepting something as something else.
He passed off the replica as an antique to the buyer.
Palm off
To trick someone into accepting something inferior.
He tried to palm off his broken computer as fully functional.
Thrust upon
To impose something suddenly and without consent.
The responsibilities of management were thrust upon her unexpectedly.
Foist Idioms & Phrases
Foist off on
To make someone accept something unwanted.
She foisted her chores off on her younger brother.
Try to foist
An attempt to impose something unwanted.
He tried to foist outdated ideas on the new committee.
Foist at first sight
Quickly and deceptively imposing something.
It was a foist at first sight when he quickly added clauses to the contract.
Get foisted with
To end up with something undesirable due to someone else's actions.
I got foisted with the old equipment when the new ones came.
Foist in disguise
An imposition that's not initially apparent.
The extra work was a foist in disguise as a promotion.
Foist upon
To impose something on someone unwillingly.
He had additional tasks foisted upon him without his agreement.
Never foist
A caution against imposing unwanted things.
They say never foist your beliefs on others.
Foist and forget
To impose something and then disregard the consequences.
It was a classic case of foist and forget in the flawed policy's implementation.
Foist one's way
To impose oneself or one's ideas assertively.
He foisted his way into the conversation without invitation.
Foist by night
To impose something stealthily or underhandedly.
The changes were a foist by night, hidden in the document's appendix.
Foist Example Sentences
He tried to foist the old TV on his friend as a great deal.
It's unfair to foist old debts on new business owners.
The teacher tried not to foist too much homework on the students during the holiday.
I don't want to foist my opinions on you, but I feel strongly about this issue.
He managed to foist the care of the pets onto his siblings during his vacation.
She found a clever way to foist her responsibilities onto her assistant.
Common Curiosities
How is foist used in a sentence?
e.g., The author tried to foist his political views into the novel.
How many syllables are in foist?
Foist has one syllable.
How do we divide foist into syllables?
Foist is divided as foist.
Why is it called foist?
It's called "foist" from the Dutch word "vuisten," meaning to take into one's hand, evolved into the sense of pushing something onto someone else.
What is the pronunciation of foist?
Foist is pronounced as /fɔɪst/.
What is the root word of foist?
The root word of "foist" is from the Dutch "vuisten," meaning to grasp or clench.
What is the first form of foist?
The first form of foist is "foist."
What is the third form of foist?
The third form of foist is also "foist."
What is a stressed syllable in foist?
The stressed syllable in "foist" is the entire word, "foist."
What is another term for foist?
Another term for foist is "impose."
What is the verb form of foist?
The verb form of "foist" is "foist."
What is the second form of foist?
The second form of foist is also "foist."
Is foist an adverb?
No, foist is not an adverb.
What is the plural form of foist?
Foist does not have a plural form as it is a verb.
What is the singular form of foist?
The singular form is foist.
Is the word “foist” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Foist is a verb and does not serve as an object; however, it can have a direct object, as in "He foisted the blame on her."
Which vowel is used before foist?
Vowels are not specifically used before verbs like foist unless forming a phrase or clause.
What part of speech is foist?
Foist is a verb.
What is the opposite of foist?
The opposite of foist might be "accept voluntarily."
Is foist a noun or adjective?
Foist is a verb.
Is foist an abstract noun?
No, foist is a verb, not a noun.
Is foist a collective noun?
Foist is not a noun; it's a verb.
Is the word foist imperative?
Foist can be used in the imperative mood, as in "Don't foist your ideas on me!"
Is the word foist Gerund?
The gerund form of foist is "foisting."
Which conjunction is used with foist?
Conjunctions like "and" can connect clauses involving the verb foist, as in "He foisted the blame and left."
Which article is used with foist?
Articles are not used with verbs like foist.
Is foist a countable noun?
Foist is not a noun; it's a verb.
Which determiner is used with foist?
Determiners are not typically used with verbs like foist.
Is foist a negative or positive word?
Foist is generally a negative word.
Is foist a vowel or consonant?
The word "foist" starts with a consonant.
Is the foist term a metaphor?
No, foist is not typically used as a metaphor.
Which preposition is used with foist?
Prepositions such as "on" or "upon" are commonly used with foist, as in "foist something on someone."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
