spoiler

• Nom ayant plusieurs sens : candidat qui retire des voix au leader ; personne qui s'empare de trophées ou de butin ; personne qui gâte excessivement ; élément aérodynamique sur une voiture pour réduire la portance ; ou volet articulé sur l'aile d'un avion pour réduire la portance et augmenter la traînée.

A noun with multiple meanings: a candidate who draws votes from a leading candidate; someone who takes spoils or plunder; someone who pampers excessively; an airfoil on a car to reduce lift; or a hinged airfoil on an aircraft wing to reduce lift and increase drag.

1. Political spoilerB2formalamericanpolitical

   A candidate with no realistic chance of winning but who can draw enough votes to prevent one of the leading candidates from winning.

   candidat perturbateur

   • The third-party candidate acted as a spoiler in the election.
   • Many voters worry that a spoiler could change the outcome.
   • The spoiler candidate drew votes from both main parties.

2. Plunderer or pillagerC1formal

   Someone who takes spoils or plunder, especially in war.

   Pilleur

   • The ancient city was looted by spoilers after the siege.
   • Spoilers carried away treasures from the conquered temple.
   • The spoilers left nothing of value behind.

   Synonymesdespoilerlootermarauderpillagerplundererraider

   Antonymesbenefactorguardianprotector

3. PampererB2informal

   Someone who pampers or spoils another person by excessive indulgence.

   Personne qui gâte

   • She is a spoiler who gives her grandchildren everything they want.
   • He is such a spoiler, always buying gifts for his partner.
   • Being a spoiler can sometimes lead to bad habits.

   Synonymescoddlermollycoddlerpamperer

4. Automotive spoilerB1formaltechnical

   An airfoil mounted on the rear of a car to reduce lift at high speeds, improving stability.

   Aileron arrière (de voiture)

   • The sports car has a large spoiler for better aerodynamics.
   • He installed a carbon fiber spoiler on his vehicle.
   • The spoiler helps keep the car grounded at high speeds.

5. Aircraft spoilerC1formaltechnical

   A hinged airfoil on the upper surface of an aircraft wing that is raised to reduce lift and increase drag.

   Spoiler (aéronautique)

   • The pilot deployed the spoilers to slow the plane after landing.
   • Spoilers are used to control the aircraft's descent rate.
   • The spoiler on the wing helps reduce lift during approach.