1
as in recreation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself
I don't care terribly whether I actually catch any fish, as I'm just doing this for sport
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously
teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ridicule
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something
taught their children that it was not polite to make sport of others
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement
from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to dance
to play and run about happily
the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention
sported his flashy new car by driving it all over town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sport
Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The Rec Center’s resources were available for all of the club sports this semester and the remaining 22 will still receive help in the next fiscal year.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 May 2026
The seated section, meanwhile, was packed with polite Gen Xers and boomers, with men sporting collared shirts and varying stages of baldness otherwise being the closest thing to a common theme.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sport
Noun
Girls’ sports exist because women fought for them.
—Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
The Rec Center’s resources were available for all of the club sports this semester and the remaining 22 will still receive help in the next fiscal year.
—Katie Servas, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Verb
Wearing a mint green tweed coat and a coordinating hat—an ensemble Tatler reported that Anne previously wore at the Epsom Derby in 2022—the Princess Royal also sported a four-strand pearl choker with a floral clasp in blue and silver gemstones.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 May 2026
The seated section, meanwhile, was packed with polite Gen Xers and boomers, with men sporting collared shirts and varying stages of baldness otherwise being the closest thing to a common theme.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
Noun
-
Windsor Lake, a popular destination for outdoor recreation, is currently full.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
Ultimately, Tennenbaum hopes Pitkin County receives the special use permit so that Maroon Bells remains a hallmark of Colorado’s outdoor recreation scene for generations to come.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The Aces had won 20 of their last 21 regular-season games after finishing the 2025 regular season on a 16-game winning streak.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
Nicky Lopez, a defensive-minded player, was a good clubhouse presence but played in only four games and went 0-for-5 before being designated for assignment Saturday.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Commercials that show more diversity in family groups and romantic partners, including same-sex couples and interracial families, may over time decrease the ridicule and discrimination experienced by those who are living in nontraditional family settings.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
Many parents are afraid to go on the record against a school or coach for fear of retribution against their son or daughter, so for a teenager to go out on the limb and put himself up to possible ridicule was both stunning and courageous.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Just ask Harris, whose handling of the border under Biden became a running joke in politics.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
-
Now, if there’s some people telling these jokes at a church service, that would be one thing.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
After Tuesday’s game at Miami, the Braves have two more divisional games with the Marlins yet to play, followed by a home series against a hot-hitting Washington Nationals team (also within the division) this weekend.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
20 May 2026
-
Charles Melton plays an American GI named Private K who’s trying to locate his daughter and keeps getting into bloody altercations.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
In an Instagram carousel shared earlier this month, Alba posted a series of photos of her and her friends enjoying time on a boat, including pictures of them lounging in their bikinis, dancing, going down the slide and jet skiing.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
Colorado, with an extra man, was already a hard watch with a healthy Cale Makar dancing along the blue line.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Purpose dissolves into who owns it, who displays it, who claims authority over it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
This content can only be displayed if JavaScript is enabled.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Take a cleansing breath in the sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounges stocked with herbal tea and snacks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
This allows the brain to shift out of constant decision-making mode and into relaxation mode.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
