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
The fourth-quarter altercation, which also included the Thunder’s Jaylin Williams, resulted in Dort being ejected and Jokić and Williams receiving technical fouls.
—
Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Doncic, meanwhile, also played in 64 games thanks to a combination of injuries, family matters, and a suspension thanks to his technical foul count.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Johnson tried to challenge the call, got ignored, then got a technical foul for arguing.
—Tim Reynolds, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
The Mercury led 45-35 at halftime after going up 45-30 when Nogic made a free throw following a technical foul on Chicago coach Tyler Marsh.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for technical foul
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.
Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Doncic, meanwhile, also played in 64 games thanks to a combination of injuries, family matters, and a suspension thanks to his technical foul count.
—Tony East, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Johnson tried to challenge the call, got ignored, then got a technical foul for arguing.
—Tim Reynolds, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
The Mercury led 45-35 at halftime after going up 45-30 when Nogic made a free throw following a technical foul on Chicago coach Tyler Marsh.
—ABC News, 15 May 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 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
