as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct
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Recent Examples of unsportsmanlike
Foligno and Kesselring both got unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
—
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
There were multiple controversial calls in this game, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Chris Boswell field goal attempt for the Steelers that the NFL admitted was wrong.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Not for Elliss, but Giants tight end Theo Johnson who instigated a fight on the sideline and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
The 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty nullified the gain and pushed Chicago back on the drive — though Moore later delivered a 25-yard touchdown on the same possession.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
There were multiple controversial calls in this game, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Chris Boswell field goal attempt for the Steelers that the NFL admitted was wrong.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025
Not for Elliss, but Giants tight end Theo Johnson who instigated a fight on the sideline and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 2 Dec. 2025
The 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty nullified the gain and pushed Chicago back on the drive — though Moore later delivered a 25-yard touchdown on the same possession.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsportsmanlike
Adjective
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Vokietaitis even managed to draw a foul call on the opening tip, much to the amazement of Miller and his team.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Researchers noted that the spiders emit a foul odor and sit on thin white silk to draw flies.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Officially, Buc-ee's is suing IP Holdings for trademark infringement and unfair competition.—
Rhyma Castillo,
San Antonio Express-News,
26 Feb. 2026
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The lawmakers contend the state’s loose regulation of insurer secrecy is unfair to homeowners who are required to purchase insurance to obtain mortgage loans.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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That downtrend was definitively broken in 2022 as the nastiest bout of inflation in 40 years took hold.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
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After sets from intergenerational jam bands and folk-rock legends, the newest resident at Las Vegas’ Sphere will be a little louder and nastier than usual.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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