spoilsport

noun

ˈspȯi(-ə)l-ˌspȯrt How to pronounce spoilsport (audio)
Definition of spoilsportnext
as in killjoy
a person who spoils the pleasure of others if you don't want to play, at least don't be a spoilsport

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 spoilsport Be prepared to be labelled humourless, difficult, a spoilsport, and a ruiner of parties, meetings, dinners, and picnics. — Natalie Gil, refinery29.com, 11 July 2023 Suddenly, the Republicans were the spoilsports who couldn’t take the joke, a position stereotypically held by politically correct liberals. — Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 9 Aug. 2024 The first thing Sweetpea does, after ditching her spoilsport colleague at the hotel, is pay a visit to SwiftGC, a payment processor recently acquired by Tender. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026 This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun. — Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for spoilsport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoilsport
  1. killjoy
  2. drag
  3. cynic
  4. bore
  5. complainer
  6. crab
  7. grinch
  8. wet blanket
Noun
  • In the end, at the risk of sounding like a killjoy, a real way to save the planet and save money is to just buy and produce less.
    — Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Which poem, and why did the killjoys at the magazine turn it down?
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of killjoy
Noun
  • Tech giant Samsung was a drag on the overall market, with shares falling despite reporting a record preliminary second-quarter operating profit.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 July 2026
  • The Monster Jam Monster Motors Rev Up Raceway Playset lets kids experience the thrill of side-by-side drag racing in toy form.
    — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of cynic
Noun
  • As rain drizzled and the humidity bore down, the president peered at blueprints for the public golf course, before driving to his own course in Virginia via the Arlington Memorial Bridge, near where his Triumphal Arch may soon be built.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026
  • Breaking it down by item type, 80 percent of scarves 54 percent of tops, 25 percent of baby clothing, 13 percent of activewear and 14 percent of sleep wear bore inaccurate labels.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Definition of bore
Noun
  • Instead of pushing through pain and not speaking up for fear they'll be labeled weak or a complainer, this generation is more inclined to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and address the issue through the proper resources.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 10 June 2026
  • However, the Lakers are complainers to begin with and have always gotten a favorable whistle.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Definition of complainer
Noun
  • The sculpture—which is home to live fish and crabs—takes inspiration from Newtown Creek, the toxic waterway between Brooklyn and Queens.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 2 July 2026
  • Pair it with the crispy soft shell crab or Wagyu beef and black garlic gyoza for summery dinner.
    — Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of crab
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
Definition of grinch
Noun
  • But the rivalry between these teams runs deep, and the Penguins tried hard to throw a wet blanket on the Capitals' playoff hopes and Ovechkin's big day.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Regardless, the new hard-line stance on playing time was a wet blanket tossed onto an overachieving team.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of wet blanket

Browse Nearby Words

spoils (for)
spoilsport
spoilsports
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Cite this Entry

“Spoilsport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilsport. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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