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
After Finch called a timeout, Brothers didn’t call a technical foul.
—
Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Thunder guard Alex Caruso also earned a technical foul on the play, allowing Reaves to step to the free-throw line for a trio of free throws and that gave the Lakers a 66-61 lead, their largest of the game.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Redick was issued a technical foul in the first quarter.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Embiid was also assessed a technical foul in that series for a Game 2 shove of DiVincenzo, as well as a flagrant foul for a Game 5 swipe that struck a driving Jalen Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
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Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Thunder guard Alex Caruso also earned a technical foul on the play, allowing Reaves to step to the free-throw line for a trio of free throws and that gave the Lakers a 66-61 lead, their largest of the game.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Redick was issued a technical foul in the first quarter.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Embiid was also assessed a technical foul in that series for a Game 2 shove of DiVincenzo, as well as a flagrant foul for a Game 5 swipe that struck a driving Jalen Brunson in the head.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 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 16 May. 2026.
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