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(somewhat rare) Bringing harm or injury to
“Wordsworth valued its open landscape, forged by millennia of agriculture, and believed that non-native conifer plantations would spoil the landscape.”
Present participle for to treat with great care, attention or indulgence
“Why does a mother spoil her child? What lies behind that overwhelming love which she holds for her offspring?”
Present participle for to decompose or break down, especially biologically
“The furnishings were Spartan and, fortunately, no food was left to spoil and contaminate the place.”
Present participle for to wear away or destroy gradually
“Most of them contain acid or emery, which is likely to gradually spoil the temper of the razor.”
Present participle for to tarnish with something undesirable
“Physical offense against the body or the mind that occurs in life should not spoil the cleanliness of soul.”
Present participle for to compromise or reduce in quality or purity
“He knows dishonesty will spoil his reputation, and consequently hinder his thriving in the world.”
Present participle for to take the pleasure or enjoyment out of
“I don't want to get into too many details here, lest I spoil the experience for you.”
Present participle for to spoil through clumsiness or ineptitude
Present participle for to cause to fail, or to make great attempts to
Present participle for to spoil or render less pure by adding impurities or other substances
Present participle for to deteriorate or go into decline, especially physically
Present participle for to stop operating
Present participle for to separate or cause to separate into curds or lumps
Present participle for to cause disarray or disorganization in the order of
Present participle for to make dirty, darker or less pure
Present participle for to take great pleasure or satisfaction in something
Present participle for to cook for too long or at too high a temperature
Present participle for to treat oneself by spending extravagantly
Present participle for to bring disrepute to, especially through aspersions
Present participle for to give an appearance of age to, especially a new object
Present participle for to remove hope or enthusiasm from
Present participle for to fill or permeate, especially with something undesirable
The act of sabotaging something
The prevention of the progress, success, or fulfillment of something
The gradual destruction or diminution of something
Disturbance or problems which interrupt an event, activity, or process
The act, process or result of causing significant damage to something
The action of defiling or the state of being defiled
The action or fact of coddling or pampering someone
Harm or damage, or something that causes harm or damage
Cruel, violent or indecent treatment
Kind or lenient, often to excess
(of organic matter) In the process of decaying
Impatient, or having a great desire or enthusiasm for something
Designed or tending to delay or obstruct progress or movement
Related Words and Phrases
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