unsportsmanlike

adjective

un·​sports·​man·​like ˌən-ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship : not sportsmanlike

cited for unsportsmanlike behavior

Synonyms of unsportsmanlike

• foul
• unfair
• illegal
• nasty

Examples of unsportsmanlike in a Sentence

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct

Recent Examples on the Web

Incredulously, Atmane was only issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct and received a point penalty instead of being defaulted. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Vrabel isn’t the first coach to be hit with an unsportsmanlike penalty this season. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

They were called for two personal fouls, a silly unsportsmanlike conduct when kick coverage player Zion Elee was caught shoving after the whistle on a touchback and roughing the passer. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Wilson was assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsportsmanlike

• statesmanlike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike