as in reveals
to make known (as information previously kept secret)
the actor's butler spilled the secret to a tabloid for $40,000
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Recent Examples of spills
Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Though Cory lets the info slip to Celine as a bargaining chip, another informant spills the beans.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
If something spills, no problem—just pop it in the wash.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Out on the Indian Head Hills that Lee didn’t believe existed, the simmering tension between them spills into violence that’s played for humor.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
In the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighboring Nigeria, with armed groups routinely attacking border towns.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Evening light spills across the pollinator gardens—alive with bees, hummingbirds, and the occasional wandering chicken—before dissolving into the shimmer of the Mackinac Bridge.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Give any smudges or spills extra attention, rubbing in small circles until they are gone.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
Cleaning up spills immediately is always best, but life gets busy.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Make sure the can is sealed to prevent spills and splashing.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Drape these festive tea towels over the handle of your oven or dishwasher for a pop of color and easy access to dry your hands or wipe up spills.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Since the 1970s, spills have resulted in fish kills and contamination of water and agricultural lands.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the safety of protecting your pants from spills is prioritized over cup-lip hygiene.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Picture a proliferating mound that spreads or spills or drapes down and around and is covered with probably a thousand miniature pinkish-white daisies.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The blankets have waterproof inner linings to protect against spills, preventing liquid from leaking onto the surface underneath.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
During high-water months, water spills over and settles across the floodplain, leaving behind up to 12 inches of fresh soil annually.
—Isa Cardona, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Though Cory lets the info slip to Celine as a bargaining chip, another informant spills the beans.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
If something spills, no problem—just pop it in the wash.
—Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Out on the Indian Head Hills that Lee didn’t believe existed, the simmering tension between them spills into violence that’s played for humor.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
In the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighboring Nigeria, with armed groups routinely attacking border towns.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
Evening light spills across the pollinator gardens—alive with bees, hummingbirds, and the occasional wandering chicken—before dissolving into the shimmer of the Mackinac Bridge.
—Christine Chitnis, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Give any smudges or spills extra attention, rubbing in small circles until they are gone.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
The sheep alien bangs its head on the glass in the nextdoor cell, startling Tootles, who falls over and spills the tray.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
The lid also helps to prevent spills or curious pets from snacking on the extra kindling.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2025
Cleaning up spills immediately is always best, but life gets busy.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2025
Make sure the can is sealed to prevent spills and splashing.
—Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Drape these festive tea towels over the handle of your oven or dishwasher for a pop of color and easy access to dry your hands or wipe up spills.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Since the 1970s, spills have resulted in fish kills and contamination of water and agricultural lands.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the safety of protecting your pants from spills is prioritized over cup-lip hygiene.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
Picture a proliferating mound that spreads or spills or drapes down and around and is covered with probably a thousand miniature pinkish-white daisies.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 11 Oct. 2025
The blankets have waterproof inner linings to protect against spills, preventing liquid from leaking onto the surface underneath.
—Christine Persaud, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spills
Verb
-
Moore’s journey reveals how Black Nationalism emerged not simply as a rejection of American ideals, but as a demand for their true fulfillment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The shuffle in leadership also reveals internal disagreements within the administration about enforcement strategy.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Clear steps, porches and walkways to prevent falls.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In 43% of cases, injury was caused by a direct hit by the ball, followed by falls while playing (28%), and being hit by the paddle (12%).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When a survivor discloses abuse, the church must believe her and respond swiftly.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Yet few companies offer support unless an employee discloses their situation.—
Jenn Tardy,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Because disruption doesn’t wait, when a brand giant stumbles, challengers such as fast-growing On and Hoka are the ones capturing the revenue that is left behind.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The confidence showed in Game 1 against the Dodgers, and the Brewers avoided the first-inning stumbles that vexed them against the Cubs.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As the two start to fall for each other, things get complicated when Huntley discovers Victoria is a princess.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Which, Polsky discovers, hasn’t been properly flushed by whoever used it previously.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Within those questions is the greatness revealed when the image moves again, when charging Eagles safety Reed Blankenship lifts a hand to tip Mayfield’s fourth-quarter throw, when the flailing football tumbles into linebacker Jihaad Campbell’s arms near the pylon.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
According to Burlison, the video shows a high-speed object—presumably the missile—hitting the orb, which then deforms, tumbles, and sheds smaller fragments, one barely visible.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the other end of the spectrum, Macquarie’s chief economist, David Doyle, tells Fortune that while Washington isn’t necessarily shaping its policy because of imminent recessionary fears, policymakers will be keen to maintain growth.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Folklorist Thomas Keightley tells the tale of a kobold named Hödeken who was insulted by a kitchen boy who kept spraying water at him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This kind of marital embedding involves a whole lotta acting, as Elizabeth Lo’s compelling documentary reveals, but also uncovers a whole world of loneliness, heartache and occasional wisdom.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Through emails, documents, and secret correspondence, Bee uncovers a witty and heartfelt story about motherhood and navigating an absurd world.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spills.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spills. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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