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
Sorry for being a spoilsport.
—
John F. Wasik, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021
Who knows whether another variant will turn spoilsport next year.
—Rajrishi Singhal, Quartz, 10 Feb. 2022
Does wanting to moderate the telling of jokes about AI sentience become a grinch-like spoilsport?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022
While demand is ballooning, high taxes—3% each market fee and rural development fund, 2.5% commission to agents and 1% service charges—could play spoilsport.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spoilsport
John F. Wasik, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021
Who knows whether another variant will turn spoilsport next year.
—Rajrishi Singhal, Quartz, 10 Feb. 2022
Does wanting to moderate the telling of jokes about AI sentience become a grinch-like spoilsport?
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022
While demand is ballooning, high taxes—3% each market fee and rural development fund, 2.5% commission to agents and 1% service charges—could play spoilsport.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spoilsport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoilsport
Noun
-
The Civil War, which is jeopardizing his presidency, has turned him into an utter killjoy.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
-
Without being a complete spoiler-lobbing killjoy, this is a story heavily marinated in trauma, with an emphasis on two parties’ checkered past in particular.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
With each practice, Turpin made a play in the receiving game that resulted in a big gain, from tunnel screens to quick drag routes and deep crossers to even getting snaps at running back.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Attendees can look forward to a parade, health fair, neighborhood market, interfaith worship service and a drag pageant as part of the milestone celebration.—
Evan Moore
August 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But crypto companies have long maintained that digital currencies are a new, innovative financial product that needs its own set of rules — rules that critics and cynics say the crypto sector would like to shape to its advantage by spending heavily in elections.—
Rafael Nam,
NPR,
19 July 2025
-
Gunn and Safran and all of Warner Bros can rest easy after the cynics’ snarking over the first trailer back in December.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But come summer, when tomatoes are at their sweetest and heaviest, ready to burst just from the bore of your gaze at the farmers market, there is no need to complicate things.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 July 2025
-
Her T-shirt bore Ozzy Osbourne’s name, a tribute to the Black Sabbath singer, whose death was announced earlier Tuesday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
The crab shirt, and right, Barney's smiling reaction.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
-
These ranged from more than 30 new breakfast items and dishes like soft shell crab tempura bao buns in Red Ginger.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
American President Donald Trump doesn’t want to be the grinch that stole Christmas.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
-
Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Aleksander Barkov has covered him like a wet blanket at times, showcasing the two-way prowess that just earned him his third Selke Trophy.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
It’s stated routinely in my upcoming book The Deficit Delusion that the centralized and politicized allocation of goods, services and labor in sub-optimal fashion by politicians lays a wet blanket on economic growth.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spoilsport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilsport. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share