sport

1 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 dalliance, frolic, frolicking, fun, fun and games, recreation, relaxation, rollicking, playRelated Words gamboling (or gambolling), romping; amusement, diversion, entertainment; hobby, hobbyhorse, pastime; delight, enjoyment, pleasance, pleasure; friskiness, playfulness, sportiveness, wantonness; devilment, devilry (or deviltry), hanky-panky, hob, impishness, jinks, knavery, mischief, mischievousness, rascality, roguishness, waggery; binge, fling, kick, lark, revel, rollick, spree; hilarity, merriment, merrymaking, revelry, whoopee; buffoonery, high jinks (also hijinks), horseplay, tomfooleryNear Antonyms drudgery, labor, work; duty, obligation, responsibility

2 an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged Synonyms game, jest, play, funRelated Words facetiousness, flightiness, flippancy, frivolity, frivolousness, frothiness, levity, light-mindedness, sillinessNear Antonyms earnestness, gravity, seriousness, soberness, sobriety, solemnityAntonyms earnest

3 the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something several of the kids routinely made sport of their classmate's speech impediment Synonyms derision, mockery, ridiculeRelated Words contempt, disdain, scorn; belittlement, deprecation, disparagement; catcall, insult, put-down; laughter, snickering; burlesque, caricature, mimicry, pasquinade, satireNear Antonyms applause, approval, commendation, praise

4 a person or thing that is made fun of in a society where unmarried women had no status, a spinster was often the long-suffering sport of the village Synonyms butt, derision, jest, joke, mark, mock, mockery, laughingstock, targetRelated Words chump, dupe, fall guy, fool, gull, monkey, pigeon, sap, sucker, victimNear Antonyms darling, favorite, pet