SPOIL Synonyms: 247 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'spoil' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spoil are booty , loot , plunder , prize , and spoils . While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," spoil , more commonly spoils , applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest. // the spoils of political victory

Q: When would 'booty' be a good substitute for 'spoil'?

Although the words booty and spoil have much in common, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates. // thieves dividing up their booty

Q: When is it sensible to use 'loot' instead of 'spoil'?

The words loot and spoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe. // picked through the ruins for loot

Q: When is 'plunder' a more appropriate choice than 'spoil'?

The synonyms plunder and spoil are sometimes interchangeable, but plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling. // a bootlegger's plunder

Q: In what contexts can 'prize' take the place of 'spoil'?

While in some cases nearly identical to spoil , prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy. // the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

spoil 1 of 2

verb

ˈspȯi(-ə)l

Definition of spoil

as in to taint

to affect slightly with something morally bad or undesirable too much coddling will spoil the child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to decompose

to go through decomposition the meat has spoiled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to damage

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of know when to stop, for an unnecessary brushstroke can spoil a painted portrait

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to indulge

to treat with great or excessive care when they were newlyweds, the wife tended to spoil her husband, but she soon got over that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spoil

2 of 2

noun

as in loot

valuables stolen or taken by force the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoils

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun spoil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of spoil are booty, loot, plunder, prize, and spoils. While all these words mean "something taken from another by force or craft," spoil, more commonly spoils, applies to what belongs by right or custom to the victor in war or political contest.

the spoils of political victory

When would booty be a good substitute for spoil?

Although the words booty and spoil have much in common, booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.

thieves dividing up their booty

When is it sensible to use loot instead of spoil?

The words loot and spoil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.

picked through the ruins for loot

When is plunder a more appropriate choice than spoil?

The synonyms plunder and spoil are sometimes interchangeable, but plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.

a bootlegger's plunder

In what contexts can prize take the place of spoil?

While in some cases nearly identical to spoil, prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.

the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of spoil

Verb

Large amounts of veggies or fruits can easily spoil before smaller households can use them all, erasing any savings. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 But will the light cast by the waxing gibbous moon spoil the show? — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

Back then, bond investors were enjoying the spoils of a multi-decade bull market. — Greg Ritchie, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026 The common misconception, however, is to assume these only spoil food and beverage. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoil

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoil

Verb

Or has dance music’s bad rap — as fun but vacuous and unserious — tainted the current version of the genre?

— Rachel Narozniak, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2026
That means if the sewage system backs up, the sink could be tainted.

— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of taint

Verb

The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Many of the children's bodies were severely decomposed, with only 26 able to be identified, and investigations into the other deaths are ongoing.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Rioters burned close to 6,000 vehicles and damaged over 1,000 buildings.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
What that young girl saw damaged and scarred her heart; one wonders why the happy adults around her could not see the ugliness inherent in killing a fellow human being.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

As European society indulges its whims, the continent hurtles unthinkingly toward a devastating war.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
The show is based on Rachel Reid’s bestsellers about two hockey players, one Canadian, one Russian, who indulge a private love affair.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of indulge

Noun

After that, Afghanistan descended into anarchy, with bands of warlords grabbing turf, loot, women, and boys.

— Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
The coin may have reached Shetland through trade with England, though researchers have not ruled out the possibility it might have been taken as loot during a raid.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of loot

Verb

Possible char marks from a fire or damage from another source have marred the floor of a classroom at the modern but vacant public school campus at 1215 Miramar Street, on the edge of downtown.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The election process was marred by allegations of voter suppression, with Lula's campaign reporting suspended public transportation in some key areas, prompting the court to extend voting by two hours.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of mar

Verb

Also according to the emergency service, consecutive Russian strikes on a shopping center in Kharkiv injured four people late on Saturday, including three rescue workers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Patrick, who was injured when his cleats became tangled in TV cords, had to first seek redress through a grievance procedure before being able to pursue a lawsuit.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

Browse Nearby Words

splutters

spoil

spoilage

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Style

“Spoil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoil. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spoil

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noun

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