unsportsmanlike
adjective
un·sports·man·like
ˌən-ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 
: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship : not sportsmanlike
cited for unsportsmanlike behavior
Examples of unsportsmanlike in a Sentence
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct
Recent Examples on the Web
However, Dowdle received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for an inappropriate gesture following the score, which pushed the extra point attempt back to a 48-yard effort.
—
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Among those penalized was Smith-Njigba, who was fined $14,191 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of a prop) after dunking the football over the crossbar following his touchdown against the Texans — a celebration that, per league rules, is not permitted.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Texas Tech’s football team was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct because fans hurled tortillas during a 42-17 win over Kansas earlier this month.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Carolina matched that with its own 11-play, 84-yard scoring drive that was aided by unsportsmanlike and defensive holding penalties against the Bears.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
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.
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Among those penalized was Smith-Njigba, who was fined $14,191 for unsportsmanlike conduct (use of a prop) after dunking the football over the crossbar following his touchdown against the Texans — a celebration that, per league rules, is not permitted.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Texas Tech’s football team was penalized twice for unsportsmanlike conduct because fans hurled tortillas during a 42-17 win over Kansas earlier this month.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Carolina matched that with its own 11-play, 84-yard scoring drive that was aided by unsportsmanlike and defensive holding penalties against the Bears.
—Jeff Faraudo, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share