sport 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sportnext
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

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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

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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

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4
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 How to pronounce sport (audio)
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

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2
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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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

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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

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
The initiatives pitted some of California’s most successful Native American tribes with gaming interests against gambling corporations, including online sports gaming companies DraftKings and FanDuel. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026 After all, when a vehicle's primary mission is transporting children, sports equipment, and adults who have opinions about second-row legroom, excitement isn't necessarily the highest priority. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
Surrounded by Notting Hill’s pastel town houses, the Portobello Hotel’s interiors are their own draw, sporting vibrant colors and unexpected textural pairings. — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, the moms sported short, sexless ‘dos that brought to mind Sonny Bono. — Molly Mulshine, InStyle, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
  1. recreation
  2. game
  3. ridicule
  4. joke
  5. play
  6. dance
  7. display
  8. relaxation
Noun
  • More than 50 sites will get chargers over the next 18 months, the spokesperson said, and the city has been retrofitting existing public stations and adding chargers at libraries and recreation centers.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The six-bedroom, six-bath farmhouse is considered a hub for recreation and relaxation with a 75-foot swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, tennis and bocce courts.
    — Kat Tran October 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • After fouling out for only the 35th time of his NBA career in the Heat’s third game of the season, Antetokounmpo also dealt with foul trouble on Wednesday against the Hawks.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Lakers scoring phenom Luka Doncic missed his first game of the young season with back tightness, leaving a giant hole in their offense with the NBA’s leading scorer (36 points per game) sitting out.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of game
Noun
  • Lawmakers who oppose him risk public ridicule, primary challenges and diminished political support.
    — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The objects of female desire—boy bands, teen idols, soap opera characters, suspiciously close hockey players—have always been subject to ridicule.
    — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of ridicule
Noun
  • The chain, which has over 200 locations in the United States, was recently caught in a culture war against its will, sparked by a joke from former President Barack Obama on its aesthetic.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Later on during Weekend Update, Michael Che made a joke about Israel that made Jost jokingly grimace.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • Reimer played just one previous game this fall, a 35-save shutout in the American Hockey League on Saturday night, before signing an NHL contract for the rest of the season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The 2025 expansion team will have an opportunity to secure its first championship banner when Game 6 is played Thursday afternoon in Atlanta.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • At 1,502 square feet, Studio is an intimate, speakeasy-style nightclub with dark interiors, theatrical lighting and an immersive sound system designed for dancing.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Not only does an in-the-flesh Kassir appear with Booker dancing in the background with the Crypt Keeper, but Kassir told us the shoot had a very special guest.
    — Chaz Kangas, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • While reconfiguring bedding and bath areas, sheet walls displaying Threshold and other labels are being redone to showcase the attributes of the different sheets.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The space also displays visual art from the local arts community, including a 24-foot dragon sculpture that hangs from the ceiling.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of display
Noun
  • Key ingredients include togetherness, relaxation, indulgence, presence and comfort.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There are saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, and—most importantly—expert trainers and therapists who guide all guests through a journey of deep relaxation and rejuvenation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxation

Phrases Containing sport

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sporadically
sport
sported
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Cite this Entry

“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sport

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sport

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