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
Relevance
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
Believe it or not, between sipping delicious eggnog and hot cocoa and enjoying the joy of Yuletide with family and friends, there are still naughty killjoys afoot during Christmastime — the worst of which appear in some of the best holiday films.
—
Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Within the dog-button community, Horowitz is regarded as a killjoy.
—Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Within the dog-button community, Horowitz is regarded as a killjoy.
—Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
Noun
-
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
-
Millennial workers are increasingly becoming the office spoilsports, with young people increasingly likely to be in it for the money rather than for fun, as years of economic turmoil force them to keep their heads down, collect their monthly paychecks, and fight for a promotion.—
BYRyan Hogg,
Fortune Europe,
26 June 2024
Noun
-
Abdellatif Kechiche’s 2013 graphic lesbian love story Blue Is the Warmest Color confounded cynics by winning over a jury headed by, of all people, Steven Spielberg.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
-
Ignore the cynics and their interest in intimidating ironic innovation!—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
That reliability also applies to the challenges, and the Girl Group Challenge has become an undeniable staple of drag entertainment.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
-
Your confidence will further be bolstered by three ride modes (Road, Rain, and Sport) and rider safety features including ABS, traction control, drag torque slip control, and tire pressure monitoring.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The bore and stroke ratio, which was previously fixed at 102.5 x 76mm, has been changed to 106.5 x 73mm, which is responsible for the power boost.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 May 2025
-
For the build, about 40 percent of the engine carried over—the general block design, mount points, bore and stroke measurements—but the remaining 60 percent was redesigned.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Their reception included several tributes to Ms. Dennie’s Caribbean roots and Maryland upbringing, including music from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and crab cakes made with Old Bay Seasoning.—
Shivani Vora,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
-
Choose from a variety of wild Alaskan crab legs or domestic crab claws.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share