Spoil-sport

A spoil-sport is a person who either intentionally or inadvertently disrupts an enjoyable situation, discouraging others from having fun. This term is often applied to individuals who place rules or restrictions above enjoyment, often to the frustration of those around them. The spoil-sport is typically associated with being overly serious or unsporting in social or recreational contexts.

Spoil-sport meaning with examples

• Whenever we try to play a fun game, Jane always manages to be the spoil-sport, insisting on reading the rules instead of just enjoying the moment with us. Her seriousness takes away the light-heartedness that everyone else is looking for in social gatherings.
• At the company picnic, Tom earned the title of spoil-sport after he refused to join the tug-of-war, insisting that playing such games was unprofessional. His attitude cast a shadow over the otherwise carefree atmosphere of the event.
• During our movie night, someone decided to be a spoil-sport by complaining about the choices we made, stating that they were too cliché. This made the rest of us feel less inclined to enjoy the films we had chosen together.
• It's always the same with Claire—she's the classic spoil-sport who rolls her eyes at our plans for a spontaneous road trip. Her constant need to analyze every detail puts a damper on our excitement and creativity.
• Mark has a reputation as a spoil-sport, as he consistently interrupts our karaoke nights with critiques about our singing quality. His harsh judgments make it less likely that anyone will join in and let loose.