as in cynic
a person who spoils the pleasure of others
accused the mayor of being a grinch after he cancelled the city's annual holiday parade for budgetary reasons
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Recent Examples of grinch
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
Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The Pompano Beach, Fla. doesn’t play grinch alone; Veeze, Lil Yachty, Rob49, Juvenile, and B.G. also appear on the project.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Dec. 2024
American President Donald Trump doesn’t want to be the grinch that stole Christmas.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).
—David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
The Pompano Beach, Fla. doesn’t play grinch alone; Veeze, Lil Yachty, Rob49, Juvenile, and B.G. also appear on the project.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Dec. 2024
American President Donald Trump doesn’t want to be the grinch that stole Christmas.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinch
Noun
-
And, though a lot of cynics will try to convince you otherwise, that’s perfectly OK.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Dining at Shuffletown Grill The restaurant opened as an ode to the Shuffletown Dragway, a nearby drag-racing strip that got its start in the 1950s and closed in the 1990s.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
-
Santos also made international headlines after old images of him in drag emerged.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
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
Noun
-
Sit inside or outside and enjoy delectable dishes, from Puerto Rican–style crab fritters to a swankier rendition of Mofongo.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
Montages of Cardellini crouching and crab-walking in her turtle-like getup are a welcome reprieve from the show’s heavier material, though the performer is also able to connect them with the core story.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 May 2026
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
-
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
-
But Lerner & Loewe bore twin messages with this show, one being about the power of sacrifice and the other being a pure testament to true love.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
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In addition to the incorrect name and state, the apology poster’s profile photo bore no resemblance to Crosby’s actual ex-husband.—
James Lasdun,
New Yorker,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
But none of the Premier League’s refs or growing cohort of specialist VARs revel in the role of party pooper.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But in their quest to make history, the guests turned into party poopers.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinch. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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