Verb The latest information could scupper the peace talks.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In 2013, a television broadcast showed Egypt’s leaders — including the president at the time, Mohamed Morsi — discussing covert tactics to scupper the dam, including a bomb attack. Declan Walsh And Somini Sengupta Graphics By Jeremy White Photographs By Laura Boushnak, New York Times, "For Thousands of Years, Egypt Controlled the Nile. A New Dam Threatens That.," 9 Feb. 2020

Seeking to scupper such attempts, the legislature last month passed an anti-infiltration bill laying out fines and prison sentences for those seeking to manipulate Taiwan’s political system on behalf of China or other foreign powers. Washington Post, "Taiwan president urges voters to turn out, uphold democracy," 10 Jan. 2020

The opposition could now get the opportunity next week to attach amendments to the deal to scupper Johnson’s plans. Adam Rasmi, Quartz, "What’s next for Brexit after Boris Johnson lost yet another vote in Parliament?," 19 Oct. 2019

Some think the attack on Saudi Arabia is an attempt by hardliners to scupper any hope of a rapprochement. The Economist, "The attack on Saudi oil facilities raises the risks of war," 16 Sep. 2019

As with so many technological advances, this new frontier has the potential to both help and scupper humanity. Dominic Rech, CNN, "Brain implants could give governments and companies power to read your mind, scientists warn," 10 Sep. 2019

Naomi, having fully intended to scupper the entire thing in the first place, ends up recommending a deal to her cousin Nan. Rey Mashayekhi, Fortune, "‘Succession’ Recap, S2E5: Money Wins," 9 Sep. 2019

Assuming the Labour Party remains united against the government, there are more than enough Tory rebels both on the hard-Brexit wing and the moderate, Mayite wing to scupper Mr Johnson’s plans. The Economist, "Prime Minister Boris Johnson fulfils his dream," 23 July 2019

To best avoid ice dams, IBHS has created safety guidelines to follow: Keep drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts clear of debris. Madison Alcedo, Country Living, "Why You Should Always Clear Snow Off Your Roof," 19 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But, as with this year’s Victory Day extravaganza, the coronavirus scuppered those plans. NBC News, "With parade postponed and coronavirus cases rocketing, Putin pays a somber tribute to WWII dead," 9 May 2020

After 1,500 nautical miles, the expedition was scuppered when storms irreparably damaged the mainsail of his support boat. Sarah Lazarus, CNN, "Long-distance swimmer dives into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch," 11 Dec. 2019

Mr Karoui was subsequently charged with money-laundering, which would seem to scupper his chances. The Economist, "Tunisians say goodbye to President Beji Caid Essebsi," 1 Aug. 2019

However, the 32-goal midfielder's move to the Premier League was eventually scuppered by the demands of the side from the Portuguese capital. SI.com, "Tottenham Tipped to Resurrect Pursuit of £70m Bruno Fernandes in January," 14 Oct. 2019

This, Mr Pawlowski claims, was scuppered by local authorities, which in 2012 reversed zoning rules by court order. The Economist, "Disgruntled investors are losing patience with central Europe," 8 June 2019

But a wave of antigovernment protests forced them to postpone their November wedding, and the coronavirus scuppered their second attempt. Declan Walsh, New York Times, "Tux, Gown, Masks: Arab Couples Scramble to Marry During a Pandemic," 25 Apr. 2020

While the German champions are thought to favour a two-year loan deal, Coutinho's lofty wages could scupper these plans and leave the path clear for PSG to make a move for the Brazil international. SI.com, "Transfer Window: Neymar, Philippe Coutinho & the Moves That Could Still Happen This Summer," 16 Aug. 2019

Africa’s goal | Coronavirus is unlikely to scupper a July 1 target for the first commerce under an African-wide free-trade deal, even if meetings to iron out details are being canceled. Bryce Baschuk, Bloomberg.com, "Travel Bans to Hit Services in a World Battered by Supply Strains," 29 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scupper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.