scupper
noun
a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges.
have scuppered
-
present perfectof scupper.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The goalkeeper had attracted interest from Juventus earlier in the window, with a finger injury understood to have scuppered a move.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Consecutive, emphatic defeats by Scotland and Ireland, which followed a 12-game winning streak, have scuppered England's hopes of a first Six Nations title in six years.
From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026
More broadly, the revelations this week have scuppered any efforts by the banks to water down the forthcoming legislation to ringfence retail banks from the "casino" investment banks, as recommended by Sir John Vickers.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 29, 2012
But South African regulators and politicians have scuppered big cross-border deals in the past to the surprise of outsiders.
From Reuters ● Sep. 6, 2010
Turbo Paul could have scuppered the undercover operations by replying to Harkin, he stressed, but he hadn’t.
From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2010
