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unsportsmanlike

unsportsmanlike

7 4.9
Behaving unfairly or rudely during a game
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈspɔrtsˌmənˌlaɪk/
translation icon : antideportivo
  • Tampa Bay's Ted Larsen was also penalized 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike hit on Panthers defensive lineman Dwan Edwards.
  • unsportsmanlike behavior
  • unsportsmanlike conduct
  • unsportsmanlike acts

It was very unsportsmanlike for Hook to use his hook to slice Peter's wrist.

Examples

  • It is unsportsmanlike, it is un-English... and it is in very poor taste!

  • Kevin, this is the most disgusting display of unsportsmanlike conduct I've ever seen.

  • This is taking unsportsmanlike conduct to a whole new level!

  • It's going to be 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct.

  • The behaviors were unsportsmanlike, and the lack of calls encouraged it.

    Blog text (28)
  • The coach said makin' fun of a guy is unsportsmanlike.

  • The Seahawks displayed unsportsmanlike behavior throughout the whole game.

    Blog text (28)
  • Bordeleau received a game misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct as well.

    Blog text (26)
  • The Ravens capped the night with unsportsmanlike conduct on their sideline in the final drive.

    Blog text (33)
  • The player received a penalty for committing an unsportsmanlike foul during the match.

Synonyms

dirty
vsunsportsmanlike
453 4.3

Dishonest or illegal, especially about money

is milder, focusing on poor sports conduct rather than crime
not cricket
vsunsportsmanlike
  • UK
1 9.9

Unfair behaviour that breaks accepted rules or standards

is a neutral descriptor used generally for rule or ethics breaches
unsporting
vsunsportsmanlike
1 5.6

Acting unfairly in a game or competition

is broader, covering ethical breaches beyond only rule breaking

Antonyms

Fair and respectful in a game or competition

How Sportsmanlike

exemplary
45 5.8
fair
1.0
unfair
497 1.0
unsportsmanlike
7 4.9
cheating
1 2.0

Surface Forms

unsportsmanlike positive

Morphology

unsportsmanlike = sportsmanlike (transparent) = un + sportsman + like

Formed by adding the productive negative prefix 'un-' to the adjective 'sportsmanlike', producing a clear negation.

Etymology

Unsportsmanlike is a clear compound: un- 'not' + sportsman 'a person who plays sports' + -like 'in the way of', so it literally means 'not acting like a fair player'. That's why it describes behaviour in games that is unfair, rude, or against the rules.