spoiler

[ spoi-ler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that spoils.
2. a person who robs or ravages; despoiler; plunderer.
3. Aeronautics. a device used to break up the airflow around an aerodynamic surface, as an aircraft wing, in order to slow the movement through the air or to decrease the lift on the surface and, as a result, provide bank or descent control.
4. Automotive. a similar device for changing the airflow past a moving vehicle, often having the form of a transverse fin or blade mounted at the front or rear to reduce lift and increase traction at high speeds.
5. Sports. a team out of final contention that defeats a potential or favored contender and thereby thwarts its chances of winning a championship.
6. any competitor, entrant, or candidate who has no chance of ultimate victory but does well enough to spoil the chances of another.
7. information about a plot or event in a movie, book, or show that may spoil the suspense or surprise:

   Spoilers were leaked before the movie was released. Spoiler alert! Do not read further if you haven't already seen the season finale.

spoiler

/ ˈspɔɪlə /

noun

1. plunderer or robber
2. a person or thing that causes spoilage or corruption
3. a device fitted to an aircraft wing to increase drag and reduce lift. It is usually extended into the airflow to assist descent and banking Compare air brake
4. a similar device fitted to a car
5. sport a competitor who adopts spoiling tactics, as in boxing
6. a magazine, newspaper, etc produced specifically to coincide with the production of a rival magazine, newspaper, etc in order to divert public interest and reduce its sales

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoiler¹

First recorded in 1525–35; spoil + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Also shining a light is Úrsula Corberó as Nuria, the series’ nicest, sanest, least compromised person, whose entire character has for no good reason been declared a spoiler, even though she’s essential to clarifying and/or confusing the issue of how bad or good the Jackal really is.

From Los Angeles Times

We know now that Jill Stein was not ultimately the 2016 spoiler that sank Hillary Clinton in swing states.

From Slate

While third-party nominees are ostensibly in the race to win, they’ve historically had the biggest impact when they are able to present a real threat of acting as a spoiler to major parties.

From Salon

So far this method had allowed the Working Families Party to maintain its ballot line in a state in which the fusion party system was explicitly designed to stamp out third parties, dating all the way back to former President Franklin Roosevelt’s re-election campaigns, when Democrats feared labor parties could play the spoiler.

From Salon

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t happen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• criminal
• marauder