spoil with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spoil with" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to ruin something or make it less desirable by adding too much of something or by doing something unnecessary or excessive. Example: She spoiled the surprise party with too many decorations and loud music.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But I grunted these concerns away, for I did not want to spoil with worry what was surely a perfect and perfectly American meal.

Princeton University

He parts his hair in the middle and tints it black; he wears bow ties and wash-leather gloves, which he hates to spoil with anything as messy as blood, but needs must, because Rakes is a psychopath.

The New Yorker

"I don't think you can spoil with too much attention to what your kids are doing and thinking and suffering from, but I think you sometimes have to be careful about things".

The New York Times

"Everything is on hold and every plan is postponed because you're on tour all the time, and when you are there, the moments are too precious to spoil with the discussions that you need to have".

The Guardian - Music

And behold, the servants of David and Joab came from pursuing a troop, and brought in a great spoil with them: but Abner was not with David in Hebron; for he had sent him away, and he was gone in peace.

The New Yorker

A smartly-taken goal from Matildas star Kyah Simon seemed set to have the Sky Blues on target for a win, but substitute Liz Grey ensured the Wanderers claimed a share of the spoil with an equaliser six minutes from time.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Though perhaps I've just been spoiled with the three-week battery life I've been getting on the Withings hybrid I've been wearing around.

TechCrunch

"You get spoiled with Marty".

The New York Times - Sports

At Berkeley, we are spoiled with exercise options.

University of California, Berkeley

Our whole program is spoiled with a player like Carson".

The New York Times - Sports

Pianists were especially plentiful, and collectors were spoiled with choices.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spoil with", consider the connotation. It often implies a negative consequence resulting from excess, so ensure it aligns with your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "spoil with" when you simply mean to generously provide something positive. The phrase carries a subtle implication that the abundance leads to a negative outcome or unwanted effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spoil with" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the means or instrument by which something is spoiled or ruined. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spoil with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey that something has been negatively affected due to excess. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, scientific, and academic writing. The phrase functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the means by which something is ruined. When using "spoil with", remember that it implies an undesirable outcome resulting from an overabundance. Be mindful of this connotation to ensure it aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overindulge with

Emphasizes the act of excessively indulging someone or something.

ruin by excess

Focuses on the act of ruining something through overindulgence or excess.

damage through pampering

Highlights the negative impact of excessive pampering.

harm by coddling

Suggests that excessive care and attention can be detrimental.

corrupt with

Indicates a negative influence or moral decay resulting from something.

shower with gifts

Implies giving an abundance of presents.

lavish upon

Focuses on bestowing something in abundance.

overwhelm with

Suggests an excessive amount of something that can be overpowering.

saturate with

Implies filling something completely, often to an excessive degree.

glut with

Indicates filling to excess, often to the point of being undesirable.

FAQs

What does "spoil with" mean?

The phrase "spoil with" means to ruin something, or make it less desirable by adding too much of something, or by doing something unnecessary or excessive.

How can I use "spoil with" in a sentence?

You can use "spoil with" to indicate that something positive has been ruined by excess. For example, "She spoiled the surprise party with too many decorations and loud music".

What are some alternatives to "spoil with"?

Alternatives include "ruin by excess", "overindulge with", or "damage through pampering" depending on the context.

Is "spoil with" the same as "spoil by"?

No, "spoil with" indicates ruining something by adding too much of something. "Spoil by" would imply that the spoiling is done by something, which is not a common usage. Thus, if your intention is to explain that something has been ruined through excess, prefer "spoil with".