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.
Clark’s third personal foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1 while Boston and Reese each drew technical fouls following a replay review by the referees. Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 Clark’s foul was upgraded from a personal to a flagrant 1, while Reese and Boston each received technical fouls. Matias Grez, CNN Money, 20 May 2025 Clark’s foul was eventually upgraded to a flagrant 1, while Reese and Indiana’s Aliyah Boston were given technical fouls. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 The contact earned Clark a flagrant foul call and Reese, who tried to have a word with Clark afterward, a technical foul. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 19 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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