unsportsmanlike

adjective

un·​sports·​man·​like ˌən-ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship : not sportsmanlike

cited for unsportsmanlike behavior

Synonyms of unsportsmanlike

• foul
• unfair
• illegal
• nasty

Examples of unsportsmanlike in a Sentence

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct

Recent Examples on the Web

Medvedev eventually made his way to the bench, throwing the broken racket into the garbage can before receiving a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2026

His poor display of unsportsmanlike conduct was reprehensible. —Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 7 Apr. 2026

In the final two minutes and overtime, the limits expand to include unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct. —Nick Harris april 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

This wasn’t the same as the Marty Schottenheimer unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that cost the San Diego Chargers a playoff game a couple of decades ago. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsportsmanlike

• statesmanlike
• unladylike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich