as in spoilsport
a person who spoils the pleasure of others
his perpetually negative attitude made him a real killjoy when others were trying to have fun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of killjoy
But Sennott’s script is smart not to make Maia such a killjoy straightman opposite Tallulah.
—
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Stay a while Another eclipse killjoy?
—Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Nauseatingly innocent and a self-righteous killjoy, April seems to have existed solely for the purpose of making everyone else on Grey's Anatomy look worlds more interesting.
—Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Stay a while Another eclipse killjoy?
—Maya Silver, Outside, 21 Oct. 2025
Nauseatingly innocent and a self-righteous killjoy, April seems to have existed solely for the purpose of making everyone else on Grey's Anatomy look worlds more interesting.
—Marc Snetiker, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025
The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
Noun
-
Granted, this might simply be an old-fashioned spoilsport way to view the market.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
No one likes a spoilsport, apparently.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Of course, cynics would say this is an easy way to get laughs, but Galifianakis’ quick wit ensures the unfiltered youngsters don’t always take center stage.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The cynics are figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who built a fortune off of a crypto exchange called FTX, which crashed and burned in the fall of 2022, eventually sending Bankman-Fried to prison for fraud.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This year’s acts include new plays and musicals, music, standup and improv comedy, cabaret, Shakespearean swordplay, dance, drag shows and acrobatics.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Once a design concept is finalized, designers sculpt models that are passed on to engineers for drag and aerodynamic analysis, said Scott Parrish, a lab manager at GM Research and Development.—
Summer Ballentine,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
However, the Lakers are complainers to begin with and have always gotten a favorable whistle.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
-
The pervasive popularity of the show and its creator will be the reason the complainers have no voice.—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The little, 3-inch wide capsules were shot out of a bore gun at over 2,600 mph, or nearly four times the speed of sound.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
11 May 2026
-
Beauty’s spring sale season bore fruit for more than a few players, data shows.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The nonprofit donated almost $200,000 to the church for the materials a grinch stole.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
To play off the flavor of the candy, the grinch-green dough has a subtle cinnamon flavor of its own.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
30 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Obviously, the chargrilled lobster is mouthwateringly good but ask the chef to fix you an off-menu crab rarebit.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Shrimp tempura, soft shell crab, popcorn shrimp, codfish and tuna sticks lacked labels with date and four-hour discard time.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 15,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
