Thesaurus

spoil

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

noun

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Synonyms of spoil

(Entry 1 of 2)

valuables stolen or taken by force

the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoils

Synonyms for spoil

Words Related to spoil

prize

pilferage

windfall

spoil

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of spoil (Entry 2 of 2)

1 to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable

too much coddling will spoil the child

Synonyms for spoil

Words Related to spoil

Near Antonyms for spoil

cleanse,
purify

2 to go through decomposition

the meat has spoiled

Synonyms for spoil

Words Related to spoil

sour,
turn,
turn off
[British]

mortify

rust

Phrases Synonymous with spoil

Near Antonyms for spoil

cleanse,
purify

3 to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of

know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait

Synonyms for spoil

Words Related to spoil

blight,
tarnish

lacerate,
wound

Near Antonyms for spoil

Antonyms for spoil

4 to treat with great or excessive care

when they were newlyweds, the wife tended to spoil her husband, but she soon got over that

Synonyms for spoil

Words Related to spoil

cater (to),
humor

Near Antonyms for spoil

oppress

Antonyms for spoil

Frequently Asked Questions About spoil

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