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
He should have been penalized for boarding Alec Regula, wasn’t, and then was given a makeup call for unsportsmanlike conduct when Darnell Nurse went after him.
—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The Lobos’ second touchdown came after an unsportsmanlike penalty on Virgin-Morgan, who appeared to kick a player on the ground after a third-down stop.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
His three field goals were from 57, 35 and 41 — and one of his extra points was from 48 thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a Panthers score.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
However, the young linebacker was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the sideline, which kept SMU’s drive alive.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
The Lobos’ second touchdown came after an unsportsmanlike penalty on Virgin-Morgan, who appeared to kick a player on the ground after a third-down stop.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
His three field goals were from 57, 35 and 41 — and one of his extra points was from 48 thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a Panthers score.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2025
However, the young linebacker was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the sideline, which kept SMU’s drive alive.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsportsmanlike
Adjective
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Davidson’s condition, which leads him to make foul-mouthed outbursts, was barely understood at the time and was the source of misunderstandings, bullying, and harassment.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Earning an Emmy and a SAG Ensemble Award for his early 2000s role in Fox’s Ally McBeal, MacNicol earned another Emmy nomination for his work as foul-mouthed New Hampshire political power player Jeff Kane on HBO’s Veep in 2019.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Her parents were angry, and her sister accused her of being unfair.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Trump has argued his sweeping tariffs on imports across the world are in response to unfair trade practices against the United States.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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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The human body holds several effective hiding spots that some of the world's nastiest viruses have discovered - like the eyes and the testes - that are beyond the reach of the immune system.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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Another interesting point is that nasty anti-Trump name calling seemed toned down following the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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