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
Turner received a black card for her decision to take a knee, leading to her expulsion from the tournament for serious infractions or unsportsmanlike behavior.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Play nice Eagles starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson got ejected after drawing his second unsportsmanlike play of the game — one of 10 penalties for the Birds.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
Unnecessary roughness: This penalty is called when a player’s activity is deemed overly aggressive, dangerous or unsportsmanlike.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025
The celebration will now incur a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, due to being classified as a violent gesture.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Play nice Eagles starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson got ejected after drawing his second unsportsmanlike play of the game — one of 10 penalties for the Birds.
—Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 24 Jan. 2025
Unnecessary roughness: This penalty is called when a player’s activity is deemed overly aggressive, dangerous or unsportsmanlike.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025
The celebration will now incur a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, due to being classified as a violent gesture.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsportsmanlike
Adjective
-
Ketel Marte hit a solo home run around the right-field foul pole.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
-
Four pitches into the game, Willy Adames crushed a hanging 1-2 slider for what appeared to be a solo home run, only for the call to be overturned by replay, the ball swerving just left of the foul pole.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
But critics argue that no taxes on tips is a costly, unfair tax break that will benefit few lower-income Americans.—
Bailey Schulz,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
-
Sometimes, there are unfair expectations put on children of professional athletes.—
Annie Heilbrunn,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
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
-
The apps have a nasty trick that fools users into the initial download, and once on a phone, the damage is done.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
-
He’s been the spirit of the Panthers’ skillfully nasty style the previous two springs.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share