unsportsmanly
Against competitive etiquette
Unsportsmanly describes conduct that violates the spirit of fair play in competition—cheating, taunting, or refusing to acknowledge an opponent's success.
The referee called an unsportsmanly conduct penalty.
The word applies to athletes and spectators alike.
Unsportsmanlike is more common in American English.
Unjust or partial
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- dirty playUnethical competitive conduct
- foulOffensive or illegal
- violationBreaking of rules
misconduct · gamesmanship · rule-breaking · dishonorable · unethical · dishonest · deceitful · underhanded
Aggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
malicious · petty · vengeful · cutthroat · ruthless · mercenary · aggressive · combative
Impolite, especially when thanked
- sore loserOne who pouts after defeat
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
- boastfulGiven to self-praise
- tauntingInsulting to provoke
mocking · disrespectful · contemptuous · dismissive · condescending · smug · gloating · rubbing it in
Lacking good manners
- impoliteLacking good manners
- rudeOffensively ill-mannered
- boorishCrudely ill-mannered
- classlessWithout social divisions
uncouth · graceless · ill-mannered · unseemly · inappropriate · unbecoming · indecorous · tactless
unfair
Unjust or partial
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- dirty playUnethical competitive conduct
- foulOffensive or illegal
violation · misconduct · gamesmanship · rule-breaking · dishonorable · unethical · dishonest · deceitful · underhanded · sneaky
hostile
Aggressively unfriendly
- antagonisticActively opposed or hostile
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
spiteful · malicious · petty · vengeful · cutthroat · ruthless · mercenary · aggressive · combative · provocative
ungracious
Impolite, especially when thanked
- sore loserOne who pouts after defeat
- arrogantExcessively high self-regard
- boastfulGiven to self-praise
taunting · mocking · disrespectful · contemptuous · dismissive · condescending · smug · gloating · rubbing it in · showboating
discourteous
Lacking good manners
classless · uncouth · graceless · ill-mannered · unseemly · inappropriate · unbecoming · indecorous · tactless · crass
unsportsmanlysportsmanly
Fair and gracious competitor
sportsmanlike · sporting · good sport · fair · fair-minded
unsportsmanlyhonorable
Having high moral standards
noble · dignified · principled · decent · upstanding
- unsportsmanlike conductRule-breaking competitive behavior