killjoy

noun

ˈkil-ˌjȯi How to pronounce killjoy (audio)
Definition of killjoynext
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

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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 killjoy 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 Without being a complete spoiler-lobbing killjoy, this is a story heavily marinated in trauma, with an emphasis on two parties’ checkered past in particular. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
  1. spoilsport
  2. cynic
  3. drag
  4. complainer
  5. bore
  6. grinch
  7. crab
Noun
  • 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
  • Granted, this might simply be an old-fashioned spoilsport way to view the market.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of spoilsport
Noun
  • In the afterglow of the evening, even hardened cynics couldn't deny that being admired by millions is no substitute for being loved by one.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of cynic
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • The kitchen is ably led by former River Café head chef Danny Bohan, whose menu draws on French and Italian culinary traditions with highlights like Dorset crab with tomatoes and aioli and sea bass carpaccio.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • And, the gimmicks like Hummer’s crab walk and like rear-wheel steering actually do pay dividends.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 July 2026
Definition of crab

Browse Nearby Words

killing time
killjoy
killjoys
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Cite this Entry

“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of killjoy for Spanish Speakers

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