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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Recent Examples of killjoy
While the lawyers play killjoys, work is continuing on the project for now, including on the party car.
—
Chris Morris, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024
While ostensibly preferable to AI girlfriend apps seeking to supplant IRL relationships, an app designed to coach men to get better at talking to women by creating a robot woman who is a total killjoy might actually be even worse.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for killjoy
Chris Morris, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2024
While ostensibly preferable to AI girlfriend apps seeking to supplant IRL relationships, an app designed to coach men to get better at talking to women by creating a robot woman who is a total killjoy might actually be even worse.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 18 Apr. 2024
Nobody wants to be the killjoy that pokes holes in the joke-makers’ stories of themselves.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 June 2023
With all the effort that goes into taking care of your lawn, watching the grass be ruined by your pet’s urine can be a killjoy.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2023
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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In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.—
Jamil Zaki,
TIME,
3 Sep. 2024
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And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Those unfamiliar with the play may lose the thread in this iambic marathon as Izzard madly dashes to and fro, making the first act drag.—
Karen D'Souza,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2025
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So now, my drag is definitely rounded out a lot more.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Not all of McCarthy’s early plans to develop franchises for Paramount+ bore fruit.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2025
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But screenwriter Jared Rosenberg puts him on mute about a third of the way through and that leaves us stranded with Madelyn (Dockery) and Winston (Grace), two one-dimensional bores.—
Randy Myers,
The Mercury News,
29 Jan. 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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The Pompano Beach, Fla. doesn’t play grinch alone; Veeze, Lil Yachty, Rob49, Juvenile, and B.G. also appear on the project.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Another study showed that a whole bunch of different marine species, including nudibranchs, but also species of snail, lobster, and crab were spotted farther north than their usual range during a heat wave.—
Byrd Pinkerton,
Vox,
1 Apr. 2025
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In the Gaslamp, Rustic Root is offering Maryland crab cake Benedict, a 28-day dry aged ribeye and chocolate bread pudding from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Killjoy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/killjoy. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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