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noun

as in loot
valuables stolen or taken by force the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoils

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spoil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spoil are booty, loot, plunder, prize, and spoils. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

When would booty be a good substitute for spoil?

Although the words booty and spoil have much in common, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When is it sensible to use loot instead of spoil?

The words loot and spoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When is plunder a more appropriate choice than spoil?

The synonyms plunder and spoil are sometimes interchangeable, but plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

In what contexts can prize take the place of spoil?

While in some cases nearly identical to spoil, prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

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 spoil
Verb
However, Cleveland can still spoil a potential playoff run for Washington. cleveland, 17 Dec. 2022 So, who exactly could spoil the Astros' pursuit of a third Commissioner's Trophy? Michael Shapiro, Chron, 12 Dec. 2022
Noun
The lesson from Hillbilly Elegy is that the spoils of globalization went to the few – bankers in New York, scientists in Boston and tech firms in California. Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 And if Sabine wants to stay firm and refuse to share the spoils with me, that’s her decision. Literary Hub, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil
Verb
  • When Maris slammed his 61st home run to surpass Ruth, many Yankee fans, the media and Ford Frick, baseball’s commissioner at the time, said the accomplishment was tainted.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • In the filing, Taylor argued that a TV episode about the case has the potential to taint the jury pool.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Read Next National Son arrested two decades after dad found decomposing in NH home, officials say June 18, 2025 12:40 PM Read Next National 75-year-old found dead during welfare check, Delaware troopers say.
    Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
  • Then there was the time in 1986 when vandals broke into a crypt and stole the decomposing head of a woman, which was found under a car outside the grounds.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Don't use harsh cleaners, which can damage the grates.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 July 2025
  • But opponents contend that industrial animal agriculture actually jeopardizes food security, by damaging local ecosystems, undermining traditional agricultural practices, and intensifying climate harms.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Baker, 37, indulged them, starting out of her Fairfax, Calif., living room a finance club that eventually became her present-day financial education startup, Dow Janes — which boasts an Instagram following of nearly half a million.
    Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • But unfortunately, indulging too much in fried foods will trigger your cortisol.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Agents recovered some of the loot, which was worth about $100 million, while executing a search warrant on Monday.
    Jade Walker, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
  • Most of the protests in Los Angeles have been peaceful, but some have taken the opportunity to burn or vandalize property, loot, and throw projectiles at law enforcement.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • They were marred by injuries throughout the season, having entered the season with somewhat high expectations.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • Sunday night’s game was marred by an injury sustained by the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, who early in the first quarter went down with what would prove to be a torn Achilles tendon.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Tropical Storm Barry disintegrated after striking Mexico early Monday morning while the National Hurricane Center continued to forecast the season’s next tropical depression or storm could form off the coast of Florida later this week.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2025
  • Snorkelers and divers in Palm Beach County were recently stunned by a disturbing sight: starfish, also known as sea stars, with missing limbs, open wounds and bodies disintegrating on the ocean floor.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • At least 968 civilians were killed and over 4,800 injured.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Clark has been injured and has struggled lately, going just 13-of-47 from three-point territory in her last three games and missing six of the Indiana Fever's 16 games this season.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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