unsportsmanlike

adjective

un·​sports·​man·​like ˌən-ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk How to pronounce unsportsmanlike (audio)
: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship : not sportsmanlike

Examples of unsportsmanlike in a Sentence

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated. was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct
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.
In 2009, then-SEC commissioner Mike Slive publicly suspended a crew that had made an incorrect personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in two separate games. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Giveaway Entities reserve the right, in their sole determination, to permanently disqualify any Entrant that Giveaway Entities reasonably believe has tampered with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway, acted in violation of these Official Rules, or acted in an unsportsmanlike manner. USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025 The result was a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for his juvenile antics. Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 The first tiebreaker criteria is unsportsmanlike conduct points and Marist received one during the dual. Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsportsmanlike

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsportsmanlike was in 1754

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsportsmanlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsportsmanlike. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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