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
Cloud was assessed a technical foul in the immediate moments after Jackson’s injury for an exchange with the officiating crew.
—
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The Mercury led 45-35 at halftime after going up 45-30 when Nogic made a free throw following a technical foul on Chicago coach Tyler Marsh.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Clark came one technical foul shy of taking a one-game suspension during her rookie year.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Thunder guard Alex Caruso also earned a technical foul on the play, allowing Reaves to step to the free-throw line for a trio of free throws and that gave the Lakers a 66-61 lead, their largest of the game.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
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Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 18 May 2026
The Mercury led 45-35 at halftime after going up 45-30 when Nogic made a free throw following a technical foul on Chicago coach Tyler Marsh.
—ABC News, 15 May 2026
Meanwhile, Clark came one technical foul shy of taking a one-game suspension during her rookie year.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Thunder guard Alex Caruso also earned a technical foul on the play, allowing Reaves to step to the free-throw line for a trio of free throws and that gave the Lakers a 66-61 lead, their largest of the game.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 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 21 May. 2026.
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