spoil 1 of 2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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spoil

2 of 2

verb

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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
Noun
And bringing all these hustlers together is the greatest con artist of them all – a cunning macaque who feeds on the spoils from unsuspecting tourists. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 Another suggests the cache could be war spoils of Czechoslovak legionnaires. Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
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 See All Example Sentences for spoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil
Noun
  • With that First Amendment right comes a responsibility not to destroy property, loot or condone violence, and a parallel responsibility by police and other law-enforcement not to overreact or overreach.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
  • Subsequent versions have added additional planets, a reputation system, loot, and a host of other systems and features.
    Alan Bradley, Space.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • It’s been 17 years since tainted blood thinner from China injured or killed hundreds of people in the United States, and since then, contaminants and other defects have appeared in a cross section of America’s generic drugs.
    Brandon Roberts, ProPublica, 17 June 2025
  • The woman was unavailable for an interview with USA TODAY because she was hospitalized. Untreated, Amy said the mental health condition’s fantastical conspiracies tainted her mom's decisions.
    Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Molasses is food for soil microbes—tiny living organisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa—that decompose organic matter, improve soil structure, and make nutrients available to plants, Fox says.
    Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025
  • The microbes perform vital functions like decomposing organic matter, improving water-holding capacity, cycling nutrients, and suppressing pathogens to improve plant resilience and overall soil health.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • There is radiological and chemical contamination at the Natanz facility, where an above-ground portion of the fuel enrichment plant was damaged after a military strike on June 13, International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi told the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 June 2025
  • Worn restorations: Dental fillings, crowns, and restorations can also become damaged or worn over time, exposing dentin and raising the risk of tooth decay.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Starting June 26, guests can indulge with endless rounds of two appetizers at a time including Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings, Fried Pickles, Hatch Queso and Chips & Salsa.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • That the shop has indulged families for decades speaks to its constancy.
    Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • At the Jeu de Paume museum, Valland took many risks to safeguard its treasures and record the massive plunder of artwork across France.
    Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 18 June 2025
  • Trouble is, the elder Broadway managed to cheat St. Christopher out of his share of the plunder.
    Joe Leydon, Variety, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • Graffiti marred the exterior of City Hall, an Art Deco landmark built in 1928.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Signed in 2023 from Fenerbahce in his homeland, Guler’s debut season was marred by injuries.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • In its most recent demonstration May 27, Starship spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball before achieving some of its most important objectives.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 June 2025
  • Laura’s house is a messy, colorful disaster, reflecting a personality that was clearly once charmingly ditzy and has disintegrated into instability.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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