as in foul
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 unsportsmanlike
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
Colorado State had a penalty chalked off the board for unsportsmanlike conduct after receiver Javion Kinnard high-stepped into the end zone in the fourth quarter — in a game the Rams were trailing 34-7 at the time.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Nov. 2025
The hosts’ infractions included a pair of pass-interference calls, an unsportsmanlike conduct, a personal foul and a whistle for targeting.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
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
Colorado State had a penalty chalked off the board for unsportsmanlike conduct after receiver Javion Kinnard high-stepped into the end zone in the fourth quarter — in a game the Rams were trailing 34-7 at the time.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Nov. 2025
The hosts’ infractions included a pair of pass-interference calls, an unsportsmanlike conduct, a personal foul and a whistle for targeting.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsportsmanlike
Adjective
-
Four players attempted five or more foul shots.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The game officials ruled that Gobert impeded Wembanyama's ability to safely land on the follow-through from his jump shot, giving him six flagrant foul points for the season.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To make matters worse, charging nonresidents more than residents pay is mean-spirited and unfair.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Dungy wrote on social media that the schedule was unfair.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
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
-
Richards has missed Palace’s previous four fixtures after picking up a nasty foot injury against Leeds in the Premier League just before Christmas.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Ra Shaya Kyle, feeling miserable with a nasty cold that kept her out of practice for two days, scored a career-high 30 points to lead the University of Miami women’s basketball team to an 89-73 win over rival Florida State University on Sunday afternoon at the Watsco Center.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
