spoiler alert

noun

|Updated on: 21 Jun 2018

Definition of spoiler alert

: a reviewer's warning that a plot spoiler is about to be revealed

Recent Examples of spoiler alert from the Web

The movie, which is based on the Ocean's Eleven trilogy, focuses on (spoiler alert) Danny Ocean's sister, Debbie, who is planning to rob the Met Gala for a $150 million diamond necklace.

— USA TODAY, "Trump to face chilly reception at G-7 summit," 8 June 2018
The dramatic finale, when Tosca discovers that Scarpia has betrayed her and — spoiler alert! — leaps to her death from the Castel Sant’ Angelo, will not be shortchanged.

— anthony barcellos, sacbee, "Full-throated if not quite fully staged, it’s ‘Tosca’ | The Sacramento Bee," 4 May 2018
After all, as bad as things are, no public figure is (yet) using Twitter to challenge their opponents in a duel with weapons drawn, as happened between Hamilton and Burr, resulting in (spoiler alert) Hamilton’s death.

— cary darling, Houston Chronicle, "‘Hamilton’ flips the script on history," 27 Apr. 2018
Season one ended with (spoiler alert!) Offred being carted off to an uncertain fate.

— jessica kantor, Glamour, "The Handmaid's Tale: Max Minghella On Why You Should Still Trust Nick This Season," 25 Apr. 2018
No real need for a spoiler alert here, as fans of the hit show have known since the beginning that Jack, played by actor Milo Ventimiglia, would die.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "Jack's death on 'This is Us': His heart attack explained by a Temple doctor," 7 Feb. 2018
The Daily Meal just released its picks for the best doughnuts in every state and spoiler alert: Illinois’ featured favorite is produced by Dat Donut in Chicago.

— darcel rockett, chicagotribune.com, "The Daily Meal: The best doughnut in Illinois is...," 25 Jan. 2018
Donovan’s next best offensive players are Rudy Gobert (spoiler alert DPOY) and Ricky Rubio….. no disrespect but nuff said.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Richard Jefferson picks 'true rookie' Donovan Mitchell over Ben Simmons for Rookie of the Year," 10 Apr. 2018
The end of Jesus Christ Superstar (spoiler alert?) shows the horror of the crucifixion, with Jesus betrayed and martyred on the cross.

— caroline framke, Vox, "The electric spectacle of Jesus Christ Superstar Live, in one shot," 2 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spoiler alert.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.