spoiler
Americannoun
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spoilers
plural
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a person or thing that spoils.
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a person who robs or ravages; despoiler; plunderer.
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Aeronautics. a device used to break up the airflow around an aerodynamic surface, as an aircraft wing, in order to slow the movement through the air or to decrease the lift on the surface and, as a result, provide bank or descent control.
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Automotive. a similar device for changing the airflow past a moving vehicle, often having the form of a transverse fin or blade mounted at the front or rear to reduce lift and increase traction at high speeds.
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Sports. a team out of final contention that defeats a potential or favored contender and thereby thwarts its chances of winning a championship.
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any competitor, entrant, or candidate who has no chance of ultimate victory but does well enough to spoil the chances of another.
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information about a plot or event in a movie, book, or show that may spoil the suspense or surprise.
Spoilers were leaked before the movie was released. Spoiler alert! Do not read further if you haven't already seen the season finale.
noun
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plunderer or robber
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a person or thing that causes spoilage or corruption
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a device fitted to an aircraft wing to increase drag and reduce lift. It is usually extended into the airflow to assist descent and banking Compare air brake
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a similar device fitted to a car
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sport a competitor who adopts spoiling tactics, as in boxing
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a magazine, newspaper, etc produced specifically to coincide with the production of a rival magazine, newspaper, etc in order to divert public interest and reduce its sales
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of spoiler
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.
See Examples For:
Year: 2019 Compiled by: Inkoo Kang Of note: Essential enough to the plot of the film to warrant a spoiler disclaimer up top.
From Slate ● Oct. 7, 2026
What she'd prefer is to see more spoiler warnings on videos so fans have the option to be surprised if they want.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
“Courage is fear that’s said its prayers, son,” Bernadette tells John as he recovers from having his path derailed by a familiar spoiler.
From Salon ● Aug. 31, 2026
Oil played the role of spoiler in the stock and bond markets again as inflation concerns returned.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Okay. Did you accidentally read a spoiler about Soul Scythe? Bruh, it’s fine. One spoiler won’t ruin the whole book.”
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
The paper also trails some spoilers for the third episode of Celebrity Traitors.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The following article contains spoilers for "Lanterns," including major reveals from the finale.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
Not to give away any spoilers, but this is the ultimate lesson in Goldie’s new book, “The Retirement Answer,” and it is the culmination of six key decisions he walks readers through.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
That said, the spoilers will commence, because the plot twists begin before the first motion is filed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
JP and I have held off on reading the new book, and we’re avoiding all spoilers until we get our copies signed.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
