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Synonyms

spoilsport

American  
[spoil-spawrt, -spohrt] / ˈspɔɪlˌspɔrt, -ˌspoʊrt /

noun

  1. a person whose selfish or unsportsmanlike attitudes or actions spoil the pleasure of others, as in a game or social gathering.


spoilsport British  
/ ˈspɔɪlˌspɔːt /

noun

  1. informal a person who spoils the pleasure of other people by his actions or attitudes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of spoilsport

First recorded in 1815–25; from phrase spoil the sport

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.

For days, northern California newspapers kicked around fierce, spoilsport claims.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

Never mind the spoilsport who defines college as “those magical seven years between high school and your first warehouse job.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 19, 2023

Just as investors were starting to get more confident about a soft landing for the world's largest economy, with strong jobs growth and cooling inflation, China is playing spoilsport.

From Reuters • Aug. 15, 2022

The couple had planned a lavish wedding in April, but then the pandemic played spoilsport.

From BBC • Oct. 31, 2020

“Boys,” said Mr. Weasley under his breath, “I don’t want you betting. That’s all your savings. Your mother —” “Don’t be a spoilsport, Arthur!” boomed Ludo Bagman, rattling his pockets excitedly.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling