as in spoilsport
a person who spoils the pleasure of others
his perpetually negative attitude made him a real killjoy when others were trying to have fun
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killjoy
Esther is the original feminist killjoy — acerbic, brilliant, obsessive, confrontational, deeply relatable.
—
Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Believe it or not, between sipping delicious eggnog and hot cocoa and enjoying the joy of Yuletide with family and friends, there are still naughty killjoys afoot during Christmastime — the worst of which appear in some of the best holiday films.
—Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 29 Dec. 2024
Believe it or not, between sipping delicious eggnog and hot cocoa and enjoying the joy of Yuletide with family and friends, there are still naughty killjoys afoot during Christmastime — the worst of which appear in some of the best holiday films.
—Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
Noun
-
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
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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
Noun
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But crypto companies have long maintained that digital currencies are a new, innovative financial product that needs its own set of rules — rules that critics and cynics say the crypto sector would like to shape to its advantage by spending heavily in elections.—
Rafael Nam,
NPR,
19 July 2025
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Gunn and Safran and all of Warner Bros can rest easy after the cynics’ snarking over the first trailer back in December.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The success was incredible, but like Darren said, the main goal is always to become a Halloween costume—or a drag routine.—
Keaton Bell,
Vogue,
15 Aug. 2025
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Attendees can look forward to a parade, health fair, neighborhood market, interfaith worship service and a drag pageant as part of the milestone celebration.—
Evan Moore
August 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But come summer, when tomatoes are at their sweetest and heaviest, ready to burst just from the bore of your gaze at the farmers market, there is no need to complicate things.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 July 2025
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Her T-shirt bore Ozzy Osbourne’s name, a tribute to the Black Sabbath singer, whose death was announced earlier Tuesday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 July 2025
Noun
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American President Donald Trump doesn’t want to be the grinch that stole Christmas.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2019
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Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The crab shirt, and right, Barney's smiling reaction.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
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These ranged from more than 30 new breakfast items and dishes like soft shell crab tempura bao buns in Red Ginger.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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