unsportsmanlike

adjective

un·​sports·​man·​like ˌən-ˈspȯrts-mən-ˌlīk 

: not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship : not sportsmanlike

cited for unsportsmanlike behavior

Synonyms of unsportsmanlike

• foul
• unfair
• illegal
• nasty

Examples of unsportsmanlike in a Sentence

Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct

Recent Examples on the Web

Wilson was assessed a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct. — Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

During Texas' 20-17 win, Simmons was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for mimicking urinating on the field after one of his school-record 5 1/2 sacks. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

However, during the game, Simmons, 20, also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for pretending to pee on the field. — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

In the Raiders game there was also an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that turned a third-down stop into a first down that Las Vegas converted into a touchdown. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1754, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsportsmanlike

• statesmanlike
• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• childlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike