1
as in ridicules
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jokes
a person or thing that is made fun of
had become the long-suffering sport of the village
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plays
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 dances
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 displays
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 sports
Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
Sling Orange is targeted for sports and family networks, with access to 30-plus live channels including CNN, Disney Channel and, of course, ESPN.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2026
On Polymarket’s larger international site, annual average sports volume accounts for less than 50% of the total.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
France put emergency services and military forces on wildfire alert, restricted public alcohol consumption and canceled some outdoor sports events to cope with a heat wave scorching parts of Europe.
—CBS News, 21 June 2026
Last month, Lopiano was among the Stamford sports figures honored with the naming of a field in her honor.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
But student athletes in particular should not wait until the last minute before fall sports start to get their ECG screening.
—Martha Lopez-Anderson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
Prevent head injuries with protective gear during sports.
—Sarah Bradley, Health, 21 June 2026
People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Like Jason, Widow’s Bay’s Boogeyman sports a machete.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026
In the picture, 17-year-old Ella sports a trendy brunette wolf cut.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 June 2026
Noun
In a rematch of the WNBA’s first-ever game from June 21, 1997, the Sparks overcame a 17-point Liberty lead, all while celebrating the inaugural matchup — and iconic alumni — that changed women’s sports forever.
—Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2026
Sling Orange is targeted for sports and family networks, with access to 30-plus live channels including CNN, Disney Channel and, of course, ESPN.
—Erin Lassner, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2026
On Polymarket’s larger international site, annual average sports volume accounts for less than 50% of the total.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
France put emergency services and military forces on wildfire alert, restricted public alcohol consumption and canceled some outdoor sports events to cope with a heat wave scorching parts of Europe.
—CBS News, 21 June 2026
Last month, Lopiano was among the Stamford sports figures honored with the naming of a field in her honor.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
But student athletes in particular should not wait until the last minute before fall sports start to get their ECG screening.
—Martha Lopez-Anderson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026
Prevent head injuries with protective gear during sports.
—Sarah Bradley, Health, 21 June 2026
Verb
Ellie Goulding sports a black power suit at the V&A Summer Party 2026 in London on June 17.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
Like Jason, Widow’s Bay’s Boogeyman sports a machete.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 June 2026
In the picture, 17-year-old Ella sports a trendy brunette wolf cut.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sports
Noun
-
And of course, every wrapper came with the delightfully terrible jokes.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
-
Creator Alex Hirsch packed the show with enough jokes, pop culture references, and Easter eggs to inspire a cult fandom versed in the mythology of the quirky little town of Gravity Falls.—
Christian Holub,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
-
The stadium is sure to be full again on Thursday, too, when the Netherlands plays Tunisia.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Listen to the supple bass line, which dances throughout the song as its own character.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
This stubbornly optimistic place, where family after family scrapes and claws and laughs and dances their way to a better tomorrow.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Golden 1 Center displays a collection of vintage neon signs from historic local businesses, such as Shakey’s Pizza and Tower Records, on loan from the history center.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
Throughout, the living room TV displays his screen time.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Treat rules like 30, 37 or the 3-3-3 method as starting points, not strict targets.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
Drone reconnaissance has become a part of anti-terror efforts in recent years, especially around high-profile targets.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pinkie’s German immigrant father Emil Clemens Horst built an empire around hops cultivation, including owning vast fields around Campus Commons and other Sacramento areas.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
With nothing holding her down but a dead-end job and an aging dad, a small-town Texan girl is swiftly bedazzled by a smooth criminal drifter, and hops into his car to pursue a life less ordinary.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
The Harris Poll defined a toxic boss as someone who exhibits harmful workplace behaviors, including unfair preferential treatment, blame-shifting, unnecessary micromanagement, taking credit for others’ ideas and acting unprofessionally.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
The exhibit project dated to 2005, when the museum opened a new wing dedicated to exhibits highlighting the history of minority groups with a sizable presence in the Yuba-Sutter community.—
Velvet Wu
June 16,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sports. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
