spoil spoil /ˈspɔɪl/

noun

1. The act of stripping and taking by force  ( despoilation , despoilment , despoliation , spoil , spoilation , spoliation )
   the act of stripping and taking by force
   
2. The act of spoiling something by causing damage to it  ( spoil , spoilage , spoiling )
   the act of spoiling something by causing damage to it
    Her spoiling my dress was deliberate
   her spoiling my dress was deliberate
   
3. (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)  ( spoil )
   (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)
    To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy
   to the victor belong the spoils of the enemy
   

verb

1. () Make a mess of, destroy or ruin  ( ball up [Vulgar] , blow , bobble [ N. American] , bodge [Informal, British] , bollix [Vulgar] , bollix up [Vulgar] , bollocks [Vulgar] , bollocks up [British, Vulgar] , botch , botch up , bumble , bungle , flub [Informal, N. American] , fluff [Informal] , fumble , mishandle , muff [Informal] , screw up [Informal] , balls up [Informal] , goof up [Informal] , make a hash of [Informal] , foul up , fuck up [Vulgar] , louse up [Informal] , mess up , muck up [Informal] , spoil )
   make a mess of, destroy or ruin
    I botched the dinner and we had to eat out
   I botched the dinner and we had to eat out
    The pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement
   the pianist screwed up the difficult passage in the second movement
   
2. () Alter from the original  ( corrupt , spoil )
   alter from the original
   
3. () Become unfit for consumption or use  ( go bad , spoil )
   become unfit for consumption or use
    The meat must be eaten before it spoils
   the meat must be eaten before it spoils
   
4. Make imperfect  ( deflower , spoil , vitiate , impair , mar )
   make imperfect
    Nothing marred her beauty
   nothing marred her beauty
   
5. Destroy and strip of its possession  ( despoil , plunder , rape , spoil , violate )
   destroy and strip of its possession
    The soldiers raped the beautiful country
   The soldiers raped the beautiful country
   
6. Have a strong desire or urge to do something  ( itch [Informal] , spoil )
   have a strong desire or urge to do something
    She is itching to start the project
   She is itching to start the project
    He is spoiling for a fight
   He is spoiling for a fight
   
7. Hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of  ( baffle , bilk [Informal] , queer [Informal] , cross , foil , frustrate , scotch , spoil , thwart )
   hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
    What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
   What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge
    Foil your opponent
   foil your opponent
   
8. Treat with excessive indulgence  ( baby , cocker , cosset , coddle , featherbed , indulge , mollycoddle , pamper , spoil )
   treat with excessive indulgence
    Grandparents often pamper the children
   grandparents often pamper the children
    Let's not mollycoddle our students!
   Let's not mollycoddle our students!