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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of killjoy
Believe it or not, between sipping delicious eggnog and hot cocoa and enjoying the joy of Yuletide with family and friends, there are still naughty killjoys afoot during Christmastime — the worst of which appear in some of the best holiday films.
—
Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Within the dog-button community, Horowitz is regarded as a killjoy.
—Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Mike Miller, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
That’s when a try-hard, killjoy Kansas senator, Bob Dole, convinced congressional colleagues to get serious about taxing tipped workers.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Anybody who asks for more from this new production, therefore, or who points out what is missing, risks the charge of being the merest killjoy.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Within the dog-button community, Horowitz is regarded as a killjoy.
—Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
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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Similarly to her dad, Abby tries to bring order to her crew of oddballs and cynics, most notably former night court prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), a character from the original series.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Abdellatif Kechiche’s 2013 graphic lesbian love story Blue Is the Warmest Color confounded cynics by winning over a jury headed by, of all people, Steven Spielberg.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
Noun
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The group Naples Pride filed the lawsuit to challenge restrictions such as a requirement that the drag show be held inside a building with a 200-person capacity and that minors be barred from attending.—
Jim Saunders,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
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These establishments host a variety live music events, drag shows and visiting DJs.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Ash Lazarus Orr, a spokesperson for Advocates for Trans Equality, said the language of Mr. Trump's executive orders bore similarities to orders and legislation coming out of state capitals.—
Graham Kates,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2025
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Moto Morini The new parallel-twin engine features the same bore size as the 650, at 83 mm, while the stroke has increased from 60 to 64 mm.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 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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Tired of looking like the grinch (can't help the hair).—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Still a power-lunch favorite, the menu is California classic with tuna tartare, crab cakes and cobb salad.—
Nicole Trilivas,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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With the crab, which is super buttery and rich with that nice, salty caviar on top.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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