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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Recent Examples of killjoy
While the lawyers play killjoys, work is continuing on the project for now, including on the party car.
—
Chris Morris, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024
While ostensibly preferable to AI girlfriend apps seeking to supplant IRL relationships, an app designed to coach men to get better at talking to women by creating a robot woman who is a total killjoy might actually be even worse.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Chris Morris, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024
While ostensibly preferable to AI girlfriend apps seeking to supplant IRL relationships, an app designed to coach men to get better at talking to women by creating a robot woman who is a total killjoy might actually be even worse.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for killjoy
Noun
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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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And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2025
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All one needs is to read the headlines today, 45 years down the road, to see that sometimes cynics have a point.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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While this may seem like a sizable amount, the tax drag significantly reduces the amount of capital available for future investment and retirement income.—
Jamie Farmer,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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But last year, wielding power was evidently a drag on leaders’ popularity, for reasons apparently not rooted in the specifics of the politics of their countries.—
Moisés Naím,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Turning one of the studio’s all-time classics into a complete bore is remarkable.—
Barry Levitt,
TIME,
21 Mar. 2025
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The set includes one gun each in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
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The Pompano Beach, Fla. doesn’t play grinch alone; Veeze, Lil Yachty, Rob49, Juvenile, and B.G. also appear on the project.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Guests will savor various foods and wine pairings such as crab cakes and Kosta Browne chardonnay, smoked duck breast and Duckhorn red wine, trout and Kosta Browne 2022 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and braised short ribs and Kosta Browne Burgundy Series 2021 Beaune Premier Cru Pinot Noir.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
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Thankfully for me, the Cheesecake Factory just shared their crab wonton recipe.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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