1
as in taints
to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable
too much coddling will spoil the child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposes
to go through decomposition
the meat has spoiled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in damages
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in indulges
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spoils
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Recently recommissioned for a second season by Israeli broadcaster Kan, Pirates of Antiquities delves deep into the shadowy world of antiquities smuggling, where priceless historical treasures become the spoils of a race between robbers, dealers, and the archaeologists determined to stop them.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Since 2021, college sports have charted a new course, one in which participants can enjoy the spoils of the billion-dollar industry that college sports have become.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
People immediately began speculating about the spoils.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
After a day on the slopes, there are plenty of other spoils.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Emily ruins her stylish outfit with a giant Central Perk T-shirt, the spoils of war.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Since D’Angelo was now a star, there was nothing wrong with enjoying the spoils of success, right?
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
The indictment said Rozier shared in some of those spoils.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Kathryn Streeter, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
This post spoils the entirety of Emily in Paris Season 5.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
That’s the kind of failing grade that ends drives and spoils red zone trips.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Frozen Shrimp Shellfish, like shrimp, spoils quickly, which is why many people prefer to purchase frozen shrimp.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Nothing spoils a Sunday afternoon outside with the family quite like your youngest child being carried off by a horde of maladjusted howler monkeys.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Farmers don’t typically grow pawpaws because the raw fruit spoils easily and is difficult to ship, according to the Kansas State University Extension Office.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
The Dolphins quarterback leaves undefeated, as the defense spoils Mike Vrabel’s first trip to Hard Rock Stadium as New England’s head coach.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
The lone exceptions have been health care – an industry growing as a result of an aging population – and leisure and hospitality, which has reaped some of the spoils from an increasingly bifurcated economy.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Recently recommissioned for a second season by Israeli broadcaster Kan, Pirates of Antiquities delves deep into the shadowy world of antiquities smuggling, where priceless historical treasures become the spoils of a race between robbers, dealers, and the archaeologists determined to stop them.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Since 2021, college sports have charted a new course, one in which participants can enjoy the spoils of the billion-dollar industry that college sports have become.
—Eddie Edwards Jr, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
People immediately began speculating about the spoils.
—Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
After a day on the slopes, there are plenty of other spoils.
—Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 19 Dec. 2025
Emily ruins her stylish outfit with a giant Central Perk T-shirt, the spoils of war.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
Since D’Angelo was now a star, there was nothing wrong with enjoying the spoils of success, right?
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
The indictment said Rozier shared in some of those spoils.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Conveniently located close to iconic sights, the downtown hotel spoils with a rooftop pool, buzzy restaurant, and bar in a sensory-rich, art-laden setting.
—Kathryn Streeter, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025
This post spoils the entirety of Emily in Paris Season 5.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 18 Dec. 2025
That’s the kind of failing grade that ends drives and spoils red zone trips.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Frozen Shrimp Shellfish, like shrimp, spoils quickly, which is why many people prefer to purchase frozen shrimp.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
Nothing spoils a Sunday afternoon outside with the family quite like your youngest child being carried off by a horde of maladjusted howler monkeys.
—Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
Farmers don’t typically grow pawpaws because the raw fruit spoils easily and is difficult to ship, according to the Kansas State University Extension Office.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025
The Dolphins quarterback leaves undefeated, as the defense spoils Mike Vrabel’s first trip to Hard Rock Stadium as New England’s head coach.
—Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoils
Verb
-
The film centered on the Environmental Protection Agency encasing the Simpsons’ hometown of Springfield in a dome after Homer taints the area’s water supply.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The research team developed a route-planning system for Astrobee, the ISS’s robotic assistant, that leverages sequential convex programming—a method that decomposes complex trajectory planning into smaller, tractable steps while guaranteeing safety and feasibility.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Shilajit is a mineral-rich resin that forms over centuries as plant material slowly decomposes under heat and pressure within the rocks of the Himalayan Mountains.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For people with celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune response that damages the small intestine.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Scientists think that chronic inflammation damages the brain and increases the risk of dementia.—
Dana G. Smith,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As for Princess Lilibet, 4, her mother indulges one of her current interests.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
-
The falling soufflé as a symbol of the crumbling hotel is the kind of heavy-handed touch Solnicki rarely indulges.—
Caryn James,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Critics have long warned that too much television rots your brain, but new evidence suggests at least some time in front of the tube may actually benefit your mental health.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
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If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.—
Lois McLatchie Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
California law already criminalizes unsafe gun storage in certain situations, including when a child accesses a firearm and injures or kills someone.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
29 Dec. 2025
-
In self-defense, Franck's group injures one of the attackers.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Cue the rattling of sabers and gnashing of teeth — until a deal is done that pleases (and displeases) both parties.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Dec. 2025
-
What is the thing that drives them, pleases them, hurts them?—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Access the park by snorkeling or diving, or via a glass-bottom boat, before heading to the offshoot site in neighboring Carriacou, hidden among the reefs of an island renowned for its treasures beneath the surface.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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The latest discovery isn't the first time that modern construction projects have yielded historical treasures in Europe.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spoils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoils. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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