technical foul

noun

basketball
: a foul that is assessed to a player, coach, or team typically for unsportsmanlike conduct (such as arguing with an official or taunting an opponent) and does not usually involve physical contact with an opponent while the ball is in play

called also technical

compare personal foul

Examples of technical foul in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The referee who was near the sideline heard the comment and gave Doncic a technical foul. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025 The first technical foul was also assessed for directing profanity at an official, Brothers said. Jovan Buha, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 The second technical foul is what had everyone up in arms around the NBA. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 In response, Nembhard chucked the ball at Gobert, drawing his second technical foul while Gobert received a flagrant 2, leading to ejections for both players. Zach Powell, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for technical foul

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of technical foul was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Technical foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technical%20foul. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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