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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
Shelf-stable items are often the most plentiful in Burmese grocery stores in Milwaukee since they can be shipped across the world without refrigeration or concerns about spoiling. Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025 Fans of the original film have been very vocal about the costumes seen on set — with some expressing frustration about the sheer number of looks that have been spoiled thanks to the swarm of paparazzi. Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Along the way, commentators have scuttled important details, understating or overstating the movement's potential spoils and perils. Jerel Ezell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025 Deathstalker, here a rogue warrior living off the spoils recovered in the wake of Dreadite attacks, takes a cursed amulet from a dead Prince on a battlefield. John Hopewell, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil
Verb
  • Buggs’ public defender also suggested that Alameda County prosecutors’ case was tainted by that bias.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • That Anniston’s offer is tainted is a given; that Charles is making a deal with a very bad man is obvious.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The farm worked with Ducks Unlimited for a different conservation easement applicable to its rice fields, and was an early adopter of post-harvest flood practices to decompose rice straw left over from harvest.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • While strontium aluminate can readily decompose in plants, posing harm to plant tissue, Liu said, the scientists developed a chemical coating for the material that acts as a protective barrier.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Washing a couch or sofa, professional carpet and upholstery cleaner Ben Brazell says, is more precarious than carpet cleaning because the upholstery is often a lot more expensive and much easier to damage.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Private homes, farm buildings and power lines were damaged, Gusev said.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, perhaps firms run by alums will be willing to indulge a few interested faculty from their alma mater.
    Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • At one point Wednesday, the judge indulged their request to meet with Adelson and the attorneys at a side bar out of the public’s earshot.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • A lot of characters, a lot of loot, a lot of missions to run.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Those who didn’t score tickets can console themselves with Oasis Live ‘25 loot like $49 or $56 T-shirts, $49 to $104 hoodies and other memorabilia like $28 tote bags and $56 posters.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Boy Meets World — Savage’s comedy legacy has been marred by multiple misconduct allegations over the years.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Holes marred the walls in the kitchen under the dish machine, dry storage and dish storage rooms.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Before flight 10, Starship's most recent demonstration came on May 27, when the spacecraft spun out of control roughly halfway through its flight and disintegrated in a fireball.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The situation quickly disintegrated as Joseph Gerber, 45, who had an outstanding felony warrant, fired first and wounded Mancera.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • One of two firefighters injured in a house fire in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside on Wednesday has been released from the hospital, while the other is recovering in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital, officials said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season, then injured his knee in a Week 13 game in Buffalo, ending his season.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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