SPORT Synonyms: 239 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'sport' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun , game , jest , and play . While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. // teasing begun in sport led to anger

Q: When is 'fun' a more appropriate choice than 'sport'?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. // played cards just for fun

Q: How are the words 'game' and 'sport' related?

Game is close to sport , and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. // made game of their poor relations

Q: Where would 'jest' be a reasonable alternative to 'sport'?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. // hurt by remarks said only in jest

Q: When can 'play' be used instead of 'sport'?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. // pretended to strangle his brother in play

sport 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sport next

as in recreation

activity engaged in to amuse oneself I don't care terribly whether I actually catch any fish, as I'm just doing this for sport

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in game

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged

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as in ridicule

the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something taught their children that it was not polite to make sport of others

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as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of had become the long-suffering sport of the village

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sport

2 of 2

verb

ˈspȯrt

as in to play

to engage in activity for amusement from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort

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as in to dance

to play and run about happily the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds

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as in to display

to present so as to invite notice or attention sported his flashy new car by driving it all over town

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun, game, jest, and play. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

When is fun a more appropriate choice than sport?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

Where would jest be a reasonable alternative to sport?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When can play be used instead of sport?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples of sport in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In a time where design-forward timepieces with vintage appeal are positively on fire with collectors worn thin by the once never-ending hype around steel sports watches, acquiring this yellow gold dress watch will be a coup for any savvy collector. —

Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2024 The Florida Athletic Commission fined the school $16,500 because of Norton's daughter's sports participation. —

Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024

Verb

When Meghan sported the dress at the hospital gala on Oct. 5, one part of her look from her 2021 appearance in the gown was noticeably missing though — in the form of her glamorous train. —

Escher Walcott, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024 Where value MGs like the ZS EV still sported cheap-looking dials, the Cyberster surrounds you with screens. —

James Morris, Fortune Europe, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sport

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sport.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.