Spoil Definition & Meaning

spoil
noun
  1. (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war); "to the victor belong the spoils of the enemy"
  2. the act of spoiling something by causing damage to it; "her spoiling my dress was deliberate"
  3. the act of stripping and taking by force
verb
  1. make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out"; "the pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement"
  2. become unfit for consumption or use; "the meat must be eaten before it spoils"
  3. alter from the original
  4. treat with excessive indulgence; "grandparents often pamper the children"; "Let's not mollycoddle our students!"
  5. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of; "What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent"
  6. have a strong desire or urge to do something; "She is itching to start the project"; "He is spoiling for a fight"
  7. destroy and strip of its possession; "The soldiers raped the beautiful country"
  8. make imperfect; "nothing marred her beauty"

Synonyms for spoil

baby noun

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk; "the baby began to cry again

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baffle noun

a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy be a mystery or bewildering to; "This beats me!

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bilk verb

cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

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blow noun

a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon; "a blow on the head" an impact (as from a collision)

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blunder noun

an embarrassing mistake commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

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bobble noun

the momentary juggling of a batted or thrown baseball

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bollix verb

make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out

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bollocks verb

make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out

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botch noun

an embarrassing mistake make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out

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bungle noun

an embarrassing mistake make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out

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"Spoil" in song lyrics

See how spoil is used in real songs:

  • "Gotta seal up my rhymes so they don't spoil"
    Anotha Level — What's That Cha Say
  • "Keep makin' them records 'till the day you spoil"
    Buckshot & 9th Wonder — Chemistry 101
  • "Oil - how could such a thing spoil"
    Chubb Rock f/ 3rd Bass + more — Bring 'Em Home Safely

Words that rhyme with spoil

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Usage tips for "spoil"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "spoil" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for spoil to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with spoil ↔ Synonyms for spoil 🔬 Words containing spoil

Frequently asked questions

What does spoil mean?
(usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war); "to the victor belong the spoils of the enemy" the act of spoiling something by causing damage to it; "her spoiling my dress was deliberate" the act of stripping and taking by force make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out"; "the pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement" become unfit for consumption or use
What part of speech is spoil?
Spoil is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does spoil have?
Spoil has 11 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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