sport 1 of 2

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as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in ridicule
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something taught their children that it was not polite to make sport of others

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of had become the long-suffering sport of the village

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sport

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun, game, jest, and play. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

When is fun a more appropriate choice than sport?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

Where would jest be a reasonable alternative to sport?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When can play be used instead of sport?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sport
Noun
This was before the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, when hockey was a niche sport in China and the NHL a mere pipe dream. John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 Global talent, entertainment, sports and advisory company United Talent Agency (UTA) has appointed partner Darnell Strom as its head of UTA’s U.K. office in London. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
Verb
At a Knicks playoff game, Bad Bunny sported his own Adidas collaboration (a flex!): a slim, yellow striped sneaker. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 20 June 2025 Alongside the sea of expected Barkov, Reinhart, and Tkachuk jerseys, patient Panthers fans proudly sported a nostalgic mix that blew in a blast from the past. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
Noun
  • That’s gotta be some sort of latex recreation or Madame Tussauds wax figure, right?
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 27 June 2025
  • When Brand was growing up, the developmental path in basketball went like this: knock on the door of your neighborhood recreation center and learn the game under mentorship of a trusted coach and teacher.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The 6-foot-1 guard, who has a 6-6 wingspan, averaged 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists during 36 games but saw his scoring jump to 16.1 points when he was inserted into the starting lineup for the last 15 contests to help Michigan State reach the Elite Eight.
    Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • After leading the National League in wins and receiving Cy Young Award votes in 2023, Strider appeared in just two games last season.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • The idea that New York City is finally putting its trash in cans, long after most urban civilizations have done so, has led to a fair amount of ridicule.
    Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 2 June 2025
  • The rampant skepticism of Cassie and the ridicule of her pain reflect a societal conditioning that denies Black women genuine victimhood.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • She was raised in a society—a West Indian society—that did not put much of a premium on women’s bodies, where any kind of intimacy was a joke.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • And yet the world is too driven by algorithms, too fragmented in its tastes, to ever be on the same page again and get the same jokes.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Checking these crooked politicians who ain’t playing fair/ Shut up!
    Anna Chan, Billboard, 20 June 2025
  • A lot of times, young big guys don’t play quite hard enough.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Back in April, Kelly shared a video on his Instagram of himself and his daughter Casie as the two danced around and played with a DJ board at his birthday party.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 20 June 2025
  • Long a holiday in the Black community and now federally recognized, the celebrations kick off each June 19, allowing people to gather, dance, reenact pivotal moments in history, and more.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The bakery case displays the day’s dessert specials.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 25 June 2025
  • The Meta logo is displayed during the Viva Technology show at Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles on May 22, 2024 in Paris, France.
    Kate Knibbs, Wired News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Named one of 2025’s best places to retire, this is a destination that’s all about relaxation—lounging on the beach, golfing, taking a leisurely bike ride, or immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Huntington Beach State Park, which sits directly to the north.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
  • Try the herbal sauna, Himalayan salt stone sauna, special experience shower, and heated relaxation lounge chairs before–and after–a treatment.
    Rona Berg, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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