sportsmanship
noun
sports·man·ship
ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌship 
: conduct (such as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport
Examples of sportsmanship in a Sentence
He's a great player who's also admired for his sportsmanship.
Recent Examples on the Web
This type of behavior is unacceptable and does not reflect the values of sportsmanship, respect, and integrity that Kalamazoo Public Schools expects from student-athletes, coaches, and the entire school community.
—
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
This merciful act of sportsmanship came a month before Stewart’s tragic death on a chartered jet.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Nicklaus Concedes Perhaps the best moment of sportsmanship occurred in 1969 at Royal Birkdale in England in a singles match between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Each team nominates one player for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the player deemed to best embody the game through sportsmanship, community involvement, philanthropy and contributions on and off the field.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship
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Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
This merciful act of sportsmanship came a month before Stewart’s tragic death on a chartered jet.
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Nicklaus Concedes Perhaps the best moment of sportsmanship occurred in 1969 at Royal Birkdale in England in a singles match between Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Each team nominates one player for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to the player deemed to best embody the game through sportsmanship, community involvement, philanthropy and contributions on and off the field.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sportsmanship
Cite this Entry
“Sportsmanship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sportsmanship. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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sportsmanship
noun
sports·man·ship
ˈspō(ə)rt-smən-ˌship
ˈspȯ(ə)rt-
: fair play, respect for opponents, and gracious behavior in winning or losing
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