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

Brents had a solid day; he was victimized on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that seemed unjustified. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Except Diggs leapt and hugged the goalpost after the score — drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

France was able to get within 55-51, but the Americans used a 16-3 spurt that included two unsportsmanlike fouls against France on the same play. — ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026

Boone set up its lone touchdown on a 52-yard pass from Nassar to Jordan Durandisse that ended with a horse collar tackle by Jones and an unsportsmanlike conduct from Boone to set the Braves up at the Tigers’ 16-yard line. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 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