as in killjoy
a person who spoils the pleasure of others
if you don't want to play, at least don't be a spoilsport
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 spoilsport
Suddenly, the Republicans were the spoilsports who couldn’t take the joke, a position stereotypically held by politically correct liberals.
—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vox,
9 Aug. 2024
Millennial workers are increasingly becoming the office spoilsports, with young people increasingly likely to be in it for the money rather than for fun, as years of economic turmoil force them to keep their heads down, collect their monthly paychecks, and fight for a promotion.
—
Byryan Hogg,
Fortune Europe,
26 June 2024
This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun.
—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2024
Be prepared to be labelled humourless, difficult, a spoilsport, and a ruiner of parties, meetings, dinners, and picnics.
—
Natalie Gil,
refinery29.com,
11 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spoilsport
Rebecca Jennings,
Vox,
9 Aug. 2024
Millennial workers are increasingly becoming the office spoilsports, with young people increasingly likely to be in it for the money rather than for fun, as years of economic turmoil force them to keep their heads down, collect their monthly paychecks, and fight for a promotion.
—
Byryan Hogg,
Fortune Europe,
26 June 2024
This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun.
—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
1 Feb. 2024
Be prepared to be labelled humourless, difficult, a spoilsport, and a ruiner of parties, meetings, dinners, and picnics.
—
Natalie Gil,
refinery29.com,
11 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for spoilsport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoilsport
Noun
-
In the end, at the risk of sounding like a killjoy, a real way to save the planet and save money is to just buy and produce less.
-
Which poem, and why did the killjoys at the magazine turn it down?
Noun
-
And with pitching continually improving, maybe the league has made a concerted effort to level the playing field with a lower-drag baseball.
-
Deadline exclusively reported the addition of Chad Rook as Mac, a drag racer, in season 3.
Noun
-
Naturally, the cynics will want to naysay.
-
And, though a lot of cynics will try to convince you otherwise, that’s perfectly OK.
Noun
-
Blanca Quinonez knows only one way to play, with full- bore, hit-the-floor intensity.
-
If your surroundings have become a bore, switch them up as Venus and Uranus harmonize.
Noun
-
Instead of pushing through pain and not speaking up for fear they'll be labeled weak or a complainer, this generation is more inclined to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and address the issue through the proper resources.
-
However, the Lakers are complainers to begin with and have always gotten a favorable whistle.
Noun
-
My wallet, however, does not love the price of fresh crab.
-
For the people at the table who are just along for the ride, there are sandwiches, steaks and pastas, which keeps the meal from turning into a negotiation over who likes crab.
Noun
-
The nonprofit donated almost $200,000 to the church for the materials a grinch stole.
-
To play off the flavor of the candy, the grinch-green dough has a subtle cinnamon flavor of its own.
Noun
-
But the rivalry between these teams runs deep, and the Penguins tried hard to throw a wet blanket on the Capitals' playoff hopes and Ovechkin's big day.
-
Regardless, the new hard-line stance on playing time was a wet blanket tossed onto an overachieving team.
Cite this Entry
“Spoilsport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilsport. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
