technical foul
noun
basketball
: a foul that is assessed to a player, coach, or team typically for unsportsmanlike conduct (such as arguing with an official or taunting an opponent) and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent while the ball is in play
called also technical
compare personal foulExamples of technical foul in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Rudy Gobert picked up a technical foul and his fifth flagrant foul of the season — which will result in a one-game suspension against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday — for a reckless closeout on a 3 by Wembanyama.
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Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Foster called two technical fouls and ejected Kidd.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The future Hall of Fame coach went ballistic at head referee Brian Forte’s crew, earning him two technical fouls as he was restrained by assistant coaches.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for technical foul
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Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
Foster called two technical fouls and ejected Kidd.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The future Hall of Fame coach went ballistic at head referee Brian Forte’s crew, earning him two technical fouls as he was restrained by assistant coaches.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Kerr was hit with two technical fouls in less than a minute.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for technical foul
Cite this Entry
“Technical foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technical%20foul. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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