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
plunder applies to what is taken not only in war but in robbery, banditry, grafting, or swindling.
a bootlegger's plunder
booty implies plunder to be shared among confederates.
thieves dividing up their booty
prize applies to spoils captured on the high seas or territorial waters of the enemy.
the wartime right of seizing prizes at sea
loot applies especially to what is taken from victims of a catastrophe.
picked through the ruins for loot
Example Sentences
Verb The fight spoiled the party. The camping trip was spoiled by bad weather. Don't let one mistake spoil your day. Don't spoil your appetite by snacking too much. Exposure to air will spoil the wine. I spoiled the sauce by adding too much garlic. The milk was beginning to spoil. The hotel spoils their guests with fine dining and excellent service. She always spoils me on my birthday. You should spoil yourself with a day at the spa. Noun the bandits escaped with their lives but not with the spoilsSee More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In addition to producing more of this compound, the snapdragon genes seem to have another beneficial effect: The tomatoes don’t soften and spoil as quickly as others.WIRED, 15 Sep. 2022 In other words, there’s a chance Carolina can spoil the good feelings. Tom Canavan, Hartford Courant, 12 Sep. 2022 Additionally, Faulkner was happy to spoil a big company secret. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 9 Sep. 2022 The Bruins made the return trip to Tuscaloosa the following season and won 20-17 at Bryant-Denny Stadium to spoil the debut of head coach Dennis Franchione. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 Can the rebuilding Seahawks, behind QB Geno Smith, pull off an upset at home and spoil Wilson's coming-home party? Richard Morin, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 According to sources, some of the highest-profile leaks over the past year were not the result of a VFX artist intentionally sharing something online in an insidious attempt to spoil a movie. Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 However, the design overall is fairly sleek and simple, with no obtrusive branding to spoil the look of your home. Tanya Edwards, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2022 After nine third-down conversions, and 183 rushing yards from DeWayne McBride, UAB piled up 31 points to spoil BYU’s 10-win season. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022
Noun
New York, after initial opposition, agreed previously on the establishment of dredge spoil disposal sites in the western and central Sound. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 2 Sep. 2022 Please, nobody spoil Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness star Elizabeth Olsen on … Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 30 June 2022 Can Trae Young spoil that plan and pull a game back for the ATL?oregonlive, 22 Apr. 2022 Not only are algae and zooplankton affected, but now apex predators such as killer whales are moving into areas once locked away by ice — gaining unfettered access to a spoil of riches. Susanne Rust, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Dec. 2021 An Oakland couple’s anniverary trip to Europe shows how COVID still has the power to upend plans and spoil vacations. Rita Beamish, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 June 2022 Over the years the enormous, elaborate wooden altarpiece had been hastily disassembled and transported to safety, claimed as a spoil of war, tossed aside and left to rot. Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 May 2022 Not only are algae and zooplankton affected, but now apex predators such as killer whales are moving into areas once locked away by ice — gaining unfettered access to a spoil of riches. Susanne Rust, Anchorage Daily News, 26 Dec. 2021 Clouds and rain spoil today’s mild air, while tomorrow is foul as the rain persists and cold air comes barreling in.Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French espuiller, espoiller, from Latin spoliare to strip of natural covering, despoil, from spolium skin, hide — more at spill entry 1
Noun
Middle English spoile, from Anglo-French espuille, from espuiller