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noun

as in loot
valuables stolen or taken by force the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoils

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spoil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spoil are booty, loot, plunder, prize, and spoils. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

When would booty be a good substitute for spoil?

Although the words booty and spoil have much in common, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When is it sensible to use loot instead of spoil?

The words loot and spoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When is plunder a more appropriate choice than spoil?

The synonyms plunder and spoil are sometimes interchangeable, but plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

In what contexts can prize take the place of spoil?

While in some cases nearly identical to spoil, prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

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 spoil
Verb
Because the conjunction trio are among the brightest objects in our solar system, witnessing the phenomenon should be incredibly easy from Earth – as long as pesky clouds don't spoil the view. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 The same colleagues were yet to watch the finale, and for fear of being spoiled, refused to help with my research. Thomas Page, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
When stored in oil, fresh herbs retain their flavor—and don’t get wilted, brown, or spoil. Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2025 So Wednesday is in one sense part of the spoils of victory, the rewards for beating Manchester United in that famous final. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil
Verb
  • Rahmani, the former prosecutor, said statements by Patel and other Justice Department officials could raise concerns about tainting the jury pool in a future trial.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But it can also be released from ruminant livestock, wetlands and waste decomposing in landfills.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The severely decomposing body discovered at a Los Angeles impound lot inside a Tesla, which was found to be registered to up-and-coming singer D4vd, has been identified as a missing Inland Empire teen whose death may soon launch a homicide investigation.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • MDOTwill close northbound Airport Road over Interstate 94 in Jackson to replace bridge beams damaged by a high-load strike on April 11.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
  • If it's damaged and can't be hauled to the surface, the hole can be filled with rubble and concrete.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And what better excuse to get dressed up than to indulge and imbibe in a new dining experience?
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
  • How did Chanel maintain her gamine figure while regularly indulging there?
    Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • An investor may need to adjust future cash flows if the studio relies on loot boxes in regions where probability disclosures are trending toward mandatory.
    Dmitrii Khasanov, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Stolen loot included two $500 guns and an $800 firearm, the reports show.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The track session on Saturday was marred with red and yellow flags due to the number of incidents, and the intermittent raindrops at the end that put many drivers at risk.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The 2024 season in particular was marred by injuries to some of the offense’s top players in the first two weeks of the season.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • According to experts, the early signs of a disintegrating friendship are often easy to miss and can be difficult to address.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The future of the Abraham Accords Israel’s war in Gaza and its drive to establish military dominance in the Middle East have degraded the Abraham Accords but will not disintegrate the agreement.
    Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Most recently, he was badly injured after a high–speed car crash in New Hampshire in August.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Two Fort Worth firefighters were injured while battling a two-alarm fire at the house.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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