spoil
verb (used with object)
to damage severely or harm (something), especially with reference to its excellence, value, usefulness, etc.: Drought spoiled the corn crop.
is spoiling
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present progressiveof spoil (3rd person singular).present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate 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.
At the port, cargo is spoiling because without electricity some containers can’t be unloaded from ships, according to a logistics worker there.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
We can have elections with multiple candidates that are about issues, not about who is spoiling things for whom.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2025
"Almost all the flowers fell after the rains, and rot is spoiling everything else. For now, we don't see any upcoming harvest because there is nothing on the trees," Kouadio said.
From Reuters ● Jul. 13, 2023
Chris Christie, the state’s former two-term Republican governor, indicates — by his words and, as important, his demeanor of surplus pugnacity — that he is spoiling for a fight.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 9, 2021
I don’t think he cares anymore that Alex is spoiling the books.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
