1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dance
to play and run about happily
the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
sported his flashy new car by driving it all over town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
It's called Ced’s Corner, from the mind of the American-Statesman’s resident sports columnist.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
On his forearm, Johnson sports a tattoo of the Skyway Grill’s flaming burger logo.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sport
Noun
College basketball players were bribed to throw games and enrich sports gamblers during a recent period from September 2022 to February of last year.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
It's called Ced’s Corner, from the mind of the American-Statesman’s resident sports columnist.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Advertisement Most heartfelt final tribute Glaser sports a Spinal Tap hat at the end of the Golden Globes ceremony.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
On his forearm, Johnson sports a tattoo of the Skyway Grill’s flaming burger logo.
—Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
Noun
-
Outside the center and elsewhere around Ketchikan, visitors can find newer totem poles, including recreations carved as part of a Civilian Conservation Corps project that began in 1930s and modern-day totem poles by master carvers.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Peru sits along the Mississinewa River in north-central Indiana, and has antique shopping, farm experiences, and outdoor recreation worth checking out any time of year.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Joanna Gaines and Sydney Sweeney were even ahead of the game and broke theirs out back in October and November, respectively.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Before Watson’s game-winner, Murray also conjured one of the weirdest clutch buckets of Denver’s season, scooping up a loose ball that had been stripped away from Aaron Gordon and connecting on an awkward midrange floater before the shot clock buzzer.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Tom Gustafson of Fort Lauderdale, a hard-charging guy and a target of considerable ridicule, placed Broward lawmakers in key leadership posts.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
As each isolated training camp miss surfaced on social media, the ridicule grew louder.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This life is not supposed to be a bad joke.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Jordan’s mom found that out early when host Nikki Glaser made a lusty joke about her son, then noticed Donna in the room and hastily fake apologized.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Peat fit in well with Arizona’s veteran lineup, as the freshman didn’t force the issue and played within the offense.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Demonstrators waved signs, chanted in English and Spanish, and danced to music from portable speakers.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The marble bathroom toilets are all-singing, all-dancing affairs, with jet sprays and heated seats.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With sturdy construction, ample shelf space, and glass doors, china cabinets are excellent for storing and displaying delicate china sets, trinkets, decorative plates, heirloom decor, and more.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
And yet, both within and outside the store, the American flag is prominently displayed.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
According to Amex, what unites these destinations is a desire for meaningful travel—whether through first-time adventures, cultural immersion, or settings that balance relaxation with a strong sense of place.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
