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 foulExamples of technical foul in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Rattlers went up by four points on Nehemiah Miller’s breakaway dunk, but he was charged with a technical foul for hanging on the rim.
—
John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
During the fourth quarter of the game, technical fouls were assessed and ejections issued for Charlotte's Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, along with Detroit's Jalen Duren and Stewart.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Lee received a technical foul after being bothered by an offensive foul call on Grant Williams and immediately was sent off by head referee John Goble.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Reaves was called for a technical foul seconds later, which led to a free throw from Joe to give the Thunder an 88-87 lead.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
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John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
During the fourth quarter of the game, technical fouls were assessed and ejections issued for Charlotte's Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, along with Detroit's Jalen Duren and Stewart.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Lee received a technical foul after being bothered by an offensive foul call on Grant Williams and immediately was sent off by head referee John Goble.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Reaves was called for a technical foul seconds later, which led to a free throw from Joe to give the Thunder an 88-87 lead.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for technical foul
Cite this Entry
“Technical foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technical%20foul. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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