1
as in to taint
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 to decompose
to go through decomposition
the meat has spoiled
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to damage
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to indulge
to treat with great or excessive care
when they were newlyweds, the wife tended to spoil her husband, but she soon got over that
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spoil
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
During slavery, many enslaved Africans willingly embraced Christian teachings and the spoils that the Christian faith seemed to offer.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
cleveland, 17 Dec. 2022
So, who exactly could spoil the Astros' pursuit of a third Commissioner's Trophy?
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 12 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spoil
Noun
This time around, the rapper is still enjoying the spoils of a sweep at the Grammys and his Super Bowl Halftime Show headlining performance.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
During slavery, many enslaved Africans willingly embraced Christian teachings and the spoils that the Christian faith seemed to offer.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
However, Cleveland can still spoil a potential playoff run for Washington.
—cleveland, 17 Dec. 2022
So, who exactly could spoil the Astros' pursuit of a third Commissioner's Trophy?
—Michael Shapiro, Chron, 12 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for spoil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil
Noun
-
The Alarm can even be upgraded to automatically call the police, give the burglar an electro shock, or force her to drop some of her loot while escaping.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
-
When asked whether Backyard Sports would introduce microtransactions — specifically loot boxes — Barnett shut it down immediately.—
Jake Lang,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In its letter, the committee said that Albanese’s rhetoric tainted both the U.N. as an institution and her own position.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Cena's victory, following Mysterio's earlier match, tainted Mysterio's win and shifted focus to Cena's confrontation with the returning CM Punk, overshadowing Mysterio's moment.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The clippings quickly decompose, adding nutrients to the soil in the process.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Mar. 2025
-
Like the dog, their bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe's especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pileggi can’t write outside of his own sandbox, which means that DeNiro indulges the usual nefariousness.—
Armond White,
National Review,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Go the practical route and indulge her with a new pan from one of our favorite brands.—
Brie Schwartz,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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And two, even for the plunder of a smash and grab, that seems a sloppy hiding place.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2025
-
While in Africa, Suchet visits Kimberley, the site of diamond mines (and where Rhodes founded the De Beers diamond company), and the plunder and extraction are so clear.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The dashboard was part of an extended pressure campaign from Buttigieg, who, during his tenure in the Biden administration, publicly challenged the major carriers to improve service and transparency—particularly after a summer marred by cancellations and flight delays.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
8 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, Delaney’s personal life has been marred by what appears to be a pretty entrenched drinking problem, which has affected her career and led to very un-Diane Russell-like brushes with the law, the Daily Mail and other outlets have reported.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In the Parsi tradition, the bones are left there to gradually disintegrate over time, completing the return to nature without defiling the earth.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The premier Copley Cup — which for decades drew the nation’s elite men’s varsity eights for an early-season east/west showdown – has disintegrated into an alumni race.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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