sportsmanly

adjective

Definition of sportsmanlynext
as in legal
following or according to the rules in wrestling, biting is not sportsmanly, and will result in a forfeit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sportsmanly
  1. legal
  2. moral
  3. clean
  4. fair
  5. ethical
Adjective
  • The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of legal
Adjective
  • Framed as an ensemble drama rather than the story of a single heroic whistleblower, the production compresses Ibsen’s plot, reimagines the ending and leans into satire without sacrificing moral bite.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Commentators hungry for superstar validation of their culture war were calling her silence a moral failure, and some of them were the same people who, in previous news cycles, had insisted that athletes needed to shut up.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of moral
Adjective
  • The clarifying formula also removes mineral deposits left behind by hard water, creating a cleaner foundation for hair with more natural movement.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Even her decision to send Bernard out to clean feels more vindictive than logical.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of clean
Adjective
  • Talk through the number, name what feels fair, and choose the version of fun that protects trust.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • He was also accused of breaching fair competition regulations to preferentially award contracts on behalf of the museum.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of fair
Adjective
  • Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Talarico is hoping to raise further ethical questions about Paxton by publicizing the Unity Resources case.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of ethical
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.

Browse Nearby Words

sportsmanlike
sportsmanly
sportsmen
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Cite this Entry

“Sportsmanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sportsmanly. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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