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Reward vs Spoils - What's the difference?

reward | spoils | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between reward and spoils

is that reward is something of value given in return for an act while spoils is that which is taken from another by violence; especially, the plunder taken from an enemy; pillage; booty.

As verbs the difference between reward and spoils

is that reward is to give (something) as a reward while spoils is third-person singular of spoil.

reward

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) reward, rewarde, from (etyl) variants of Old French, ultimately of (etyl) ((etyl)) origin. Compare ''regard'', ''warden'', ''guard . See more below. Displaced native (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something of value given in return for an act.
    • For catching the thief, you'll get a nice reward .
  • A prize promised for a certain deed or catch
    • ''The rewards for bringing in badly wanted criminals are printed on 'dead or alive' posters
  • The result of an action, whether good or bad.
    • Is this the reward I get for telling the truth: to be put in jail?
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2013 , date=January 22 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Aston Villa 2-1 Bradford (3-4) , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Christian Benteke's first-half goal was just reward for Villa's undoubted superiority but Bradford managed to survive without further damage until half-time, before scoring the goal that takes them to Wembley for the first time since 1996.}}
    Synonyms
    * (something of value given in return for an act) payment, recompense * (prize promised for a certain deed or catch) bounty * (result of an action) consequence
    Antonyms
    * punishment

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) rewarden, from (etyl) . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To give (something) as a reward.
  • *:
  • *:Thenne syr Marhaus departed and within two dayes his damoysel brought hym where as was a grete tornement that the lady de Vawse has cryed // And there syr Marhaus dyd so nobly that he was renomed / & had somtyme doune fourty knyghtes / and soo the serklet of gold was rewarded hym
  • *Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 17:
  • *:Thou hast rewarded' me good, whereas I have ' rewarded thee evil.
  • (label) To give a reward to or for.
  • :
  • (label) To recompense.
  • :
  • *{{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
    • , title= Bulgaria 0-3 England , passage=The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.}}
    Derived terms
    * rewardable * rewarder * rewarding * unrewarded
    Related terms
    * award

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    spoils

    English

    Noun

    (en-plural noun)
  • That which is taken from another by violence; especially, the plunder taken from an enemy; pillage; booty.
    • "Gentle gales, Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole Those balmy spoils." —Milton.
  • Public offices and their benefits regarded as the peculiar property of a successful party or faction, to be bestowed for its own advantage; -- commonly in the plural; as
    • to the victor belong the spoils

    Verb

    (head)
  • (spoil)
    • Milk spoils when left out too long.