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spoil

spoil

 
 
pronunciation:
spoIl
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
phrases:
be spoiling for
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Builder
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: spoils, spoiling, spoiled, spoilt
definition 1: to ruin or detract from; make unusable or unsatisfactory.
She spilled her coffee and spoiled her new dress.The rain spoiled our camping trip.
synonyms:
damage, ruin, wreck
antonyms:
enhance, help, improve
similar words:
blight, butcher, decay, decompose, defile, foul, mar, mess, queer, smash, sully, vandalize, vitiate
definition 2: to instill an unhealthy sense of entitlement in (a person) through excessive indulgence, too much freedom, withheld punishments, or the like.
Having been spoiled by her parents, the young college freshman threw a tantrum at having to share a room with a roommate.
similar words:
baby, coddle, dote on, indulge, mollycoddle, overindulge, pamper
definition 3: to indulge or overindulge (a loved one or pet).
She loves to spoil her grandchildren with candy and presents.You've spoiled this dog, and now he's far too overweight!
synonyms:
indulge, overindulge
similar words:
pamper
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to become unusable or decayed.
Meat spoils rapidly in hot weather.
synonyms:
putrefy, turn
antonyms:
keep
similar words:
addle, decay, decompose, foul, mildew, mold, rot, sour
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: be spoiling for
 
part of speech: noun
definition: (pl.) material goods or other benefits gained by victory, as in warfare or politics.
the spoils of warHis job was part of the spoils of his party's victory.
synonyms:
booty, loot
derivation: spoiled (adj.)
Word Builder: spoil +
  • spoilage:
    food or other material that has gone bad.
  • spoiled:
    having gone bad; no longer able to be eaten.