1
as in to taint
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
too much coddling will spoil the child
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decompose
to go through decomposition
the meat has spoiled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to indulge
to treat with great or excessive care
when they were newlyweds, the wife tended to spoil her husband, but she soon got over that
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spoil
cleveland, 17 Dec. 2022
So, who exactly could spoil the Astros' pursuit of a third Commissioner's Trophy?
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 12 Dec. 2022
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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But unfortunately, indulging too much in fried foods will trigger your cortisol.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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