as in spoilsport
a person who spoils the pleasure of others
his perpetually negative attitude made him a real killjoy when others were trying to have fun
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Recent Examples of killjoy
While ostensibly preferable to AI girlfriend apps seeking to supplant IRL relationships, an app designed to coach men to get better at talking to women by creating a robot woman who is a total killjoy might actually be even worse.
—
Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
Alas, the gloomy revival by Lincoln Center Theater — complete with a killjoy Aaron Sorkin rewrite — isn’t one of those times.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for killjoy 
Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
Alas, the gloomy revival by Lincoln Center Theater — complete with a killjoy Aaron Sorkin rewrite — isn’t one of those times.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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In the verses, Bradley Cooper and Gaga’s lyrics and vocal lines are mirrored — two world-weary cynics serenading each other.—
Kristen S. Hé,
Vulture,
25 Oct. 2024
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Into this void emerge the cynics and the snake-oil merchants, the dreamers, the circumventers, the guileful peddlers of One Weird Tricks.—
Charles C. W. Cooke,
National Review,
16 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The thermosphere has a very low density, meaning that atmospheric molecules are scarce, but there's still enough to resist the ISS's motion and create enough drag to slow it down.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
13 Jan. 2025
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This one leans on her Jersey roots, which to me seems like the smartest option for her drag moving forward.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Neither the trade market nor the free-agent market bore fruit, so the Reds will hope there is progress from in-house outfielders.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
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By locating sensors in deep bore holes, the scientists found that the French Alps’ permafrost is warming by 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius (roughly 1.8 to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) a decade.—
Paul Hockenos,
Smithsonian Magazine,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
Kevin Lynn,
Newsweek,
6 Jan. 2025
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The Pompano Beach, Fla. doesn’t play grinch alone; Veeze, Lil Yachty, Rob49, Juvenile, and B.G. also appear on the project.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Clark’s Oyster Bar is the best place for seafood in Aspen, serving hearty fare like clam chowder, crab cakes, and crispy red snapper.—
Elise Taylor,
Vogue,
10 Jan. 2025
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The Next Evolution of Cantonese Food: A wave of new restaurants are challenging diners to go beyond sesame chicken and crab Rangoon.—
Luke Fortney,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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