spoiler party

noun

, U.S. Politics.

1. a third political party formed to draw votes away from one of the two major parties, thus spoiling its chance of winning an election.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoiler party¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Analysts said it is likely to be a spoiler party in a tight race.

From Seattle Times

Fuehrer said he hopes his party can regain its footing and grow to be more than a “mini-major” and spoiler party by pulling in new supporters like Anderson and Horner.

From Seattle Times

Beware: I’m unafraid to host a big spoiler party—a novel that can be truly “spoiled” by the summary of its plot is a novel that was already spoiled by that plot.

From The New Yorker