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
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
The Hurricanes committed nine penalties against Virginia Tech, including an unnecessary roughness call and a pair of unsportsmanlike conducts.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
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
The Hurricanes committed nine penalties against Virginia Tech, including an unnecessary roughness call and a pair of unsportsmanlike conducts.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsportsmanlike
Adjective
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Early Friday morning, the president of the United States shared on his social media account a foul video that portrayed former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes and himself as a lion.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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These toxic elements sat in the channel’s then-stagnant water, which led to a die-off of all vegetation and the emission of foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These fears are well-founded, as authorities have previously executed many protesters following grossly unfair trials, while many others remain on death row.—
Hamid Kashani,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
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And the company has committed a host of unfair labor practices, including firing a member of the bargaining committee, punishing a worker for filing a grievance against management and making changes to working conditions without giving the union notice, UFCW officials alleged.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
5 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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Despite defeat, and a nasty fall, Anne would return to England at the end of the Games, paying homage to her country and the spirit of the British team by choosing to wear their uniform, a light blue suit with white hat, during the trip.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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On Friday, stocks surged after a nasty bout of selling this past week, when software stocks, bitcoin and other risk-on favorites led the market lower.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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