spoilsport

noun

spoil·​sport ˈspȯi(-ə)l-ˌspȯrt How to pronounce spoilsport (audio)
: one who spoils the sport or pleasure of others

Examples of spoilsport in a Sentence

Oh, don't be a spoilsport. Let them try it. Dad's a spoilsport. He won't let us play football.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Suddenly, the Republicans were the spoilsports who couldn’t take the joke, a position stereotypically held by politically correct liberals. Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 9 Aug. 2024 Millennial workers are increasingly becoming the office spoilsports, with young people increasingly likely to be in it for the money rather than for fun, as years of economic turmoil force them to keep their heads down, collect their monthly paychecks, and fight for a promotion. Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 26 June 2024 This spoilsport effort has become fodder for late-night comedy routines and gripes about liberal overlords such as Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg banishing all fun. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 Be prepared to be labelled humourless, difficult, a spoilsport, and a ruiner of parties, meetings, dinners, and picnics. Natalie Gil, refinery29.com, 11 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for spoilsport 

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spoilsport was in 1785

Dictionary Entries Near spoilsport

Cite this Entry

“Spoilsport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spoilsport. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

spoilsport

noun
spoil·​sport ˈspȯi(ə)l-ˌspō(ə)rt How to pronounce spoilsport (audio)
-ˌspȯ(ə)rt
: a person who spoils the fun of others
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