1
as in to amuse
to cause (someone) to pass the time agreeably occupied
disported themselves with silly games while they waited in the airport
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
a full-service resort where vacationers may disport at a variety of indoor and outdoor activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to cavort
to play and run about happily
the puppies disported in the backyard while we ate on the patio
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
football fans triumphantly disported the sports memorabilia for which they had just paid extravagant prices
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disport
Zeman has disported himself as one of Putin’s most outspoken allies inside the European Union, in particular as an opponent of the sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
—
David Frum, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2017
Today, in the face of widespread public revulsion, some of the marchers discover that being identified disporting themselves has unpleasant consequences.
—John E. McIntyre, baltimoresun.com, 14 Aug. 2017
They’re seen disporting in matching white bathrobes, doing Tai Chi or playing croquet or doing crossword puzzles or playing cards, seemingly living in slow motion on the manicured lawn and marbled patio of an enormous courtyard.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2017
David Frum, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2017
Today, in the face of widespread public revulsion, some of the marchers discover that being identified disporting themselves has unpleasant consequences.
—John E. McIntyre, baltimoresun.com, 14 Aug. 2017
They’re seen disporting in matching white bathrobes, doing Tai Chi or playing croquet or doing crossword puzzles or playing cards, seemingly living in slow motion on the manicured lawn and marbled patio of an enormous courtyard.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disport
Verb
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This restaurant is open only Thursday-Saturday, serves a maximum of 18 diners, as a result, strictly requires reservations and offers a boat ride first with a saffron tea and amuse bouche service onboard.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Lalay, a 15-foot crocodile, was not amused and spent half an hour thrashing around with the man’s leg clenched in her teeth, until the park owner clocked her over the head with a block of concrete to get her to let go.—
Kassondra Cloos,
Outside,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Almost two full years later, on the verge of making the postseason, the Padres returned to the ballpark that is home to one of baseball’s worst teams and continued to play like a team that seems bent on disappointing in its own spectacular way.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Yet, Ruud just kept right on playing good defense — racing around Laver Cup’s black hardcourt — and somehow managing to return serves that reached 130 mph.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Monroe, Lemmon and Curtis cavorted there.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Contreras tagged Randy Rodriguez’s hanging slider in the bottom of the ninth, cavorting around the bases while his teammates spilled out of the home dugout.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Eco Wave Power logo is displayed on a floater raised out of the water during a demonstration of Eco Wave Power electricity generation technology using the power of ocean waves in the harbor at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California, on August 26, 2025.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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According to a 2022 study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, older adults with a suicide attempt displayed higher levels of suicide intent than younger adults with a suicide attempt.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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These initiatives still fall within the purview established by recent Supreme Court decisions, and remain steps that companies can entertain even in the current legal climate.—
Adia Harvey Wingfield,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The only way Golden State can even entertain that kind of move, though, is if Kuminga doesn't accept the qualifying offer, and instead signs a larger, multi-year deal this offseason.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the screen were images of rolling hills, deer frolicking in the forest, and waves crashing on the shore.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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On Thursday, the 40-year-old pop star was spotted taking a dip in the ocean and frolicking on the beach in Miami, Florida.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Women in brightly colored dresses danced in shoes that loudly clicked across the floor.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
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Auroras — Crown of Light by Kavan Chay Photographer Kavan Chay took this spectacular image of a red, green and yellow aurora dancing through the starry sky above Tumbledown Bay in New Zealand on May 10, 2024 during a category G5 geomagnetic storm.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Investigators said Decker also exhibited mental health issues before the girls' killings.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
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Faring best here is Wayans, playing it straight and exhibiting strong authority and a bit of mystery.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disport. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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