sport 1 of 2

1
2
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of had become the long-suffering sport of the village

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sport

2 of 2

verb

1
2
3

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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sport
Noun
Goalkeeper Drake Callender continues to recover from surgery for a sports hernia. Miami Herald, 5 July 2025 One of those is pickleball, which is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 5 July 2025
Verb
Here, Kidman reunites with fellow Paddington villain Hugh Grant, playing an Upper East Side mom who sports all the aforementioned fabulous outerwear. Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025 Jon Hart serape tour tote Whataburger's Jon Hart tour tote is stadium compliant in clear plastic, trimmed in all-natural leather and sporting serape webbing handles. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
Noun
  • The department is currently conducting a study to identify gaps for recreation centers.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
  • Despite the heavy news of Combs' fate and the confines behind bars, Combs and Mangione have access to the same holiday recreation as every other federal inmate: Spades card games, dominos, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a soccer match in the small rec yard.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The Red Sox put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth on solo homers by Ceddanne Rafaela and Romy Gonzalez.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 8 July 2025
  • Players can be added or subtracted between now and the game, but that doesn't mean some players weren't snubbed from the original rosters.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • How interesting, how ripe for ridicule that Fed economists think economic growth would exacerbate the price impact of Trump’s tariffs.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • Preeti faces ridicule and exclusion from her Indian community for defying her husband’s abuse and for her connection with Jackson.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • And beyond the viral jokes littering Palmer’s comments are thousands of seemingly serious comments calling her video just an example of how leaning into feminine roles can be self care.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
  • The jokes about alligators attacking immigrants while in detention have been casually tossed around by President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and conservative and far-right influencers.
    Raisa Habersham, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Rita Wilson, who plays Jessica’s mother, Lois, has been married to Tom Hanks for more than three decades.
    Katie Mannion, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • Bullock, 60, and Kidman, 58, who played sisters Sally Owens and Gillian Owens in the original movie, are both returning.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • From new and established jewelry designers, these women dance to their own tune by creating pieces that are both heritage-inspired and iconic, leaving you wanting more after your first purchase.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Les Twins have collaborated with her on numerous occasions, dancing alongside her on major stages, tours and videos.
    Caché McClay, USA Today, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Sell By: This date, used for inventory management purposes, indicates how long the retailer should display the product for sale.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 July 2025
  • Oh well, that’s OK then, and doesn’t display any lack of proper validation of update integrity before release at all.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • The magic lives where relaxation meets radical questions.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Several studies suggest that showers provide fertile ground for relaxation and free association—keys for creativity.
    Matt Fuchs, Time, 10 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sport

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!