1
as in ridicules
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in jokes
a person or thing that is made fun of
had become the long-suffering sport of the village
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plays
to engage in activity for amusement
from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dances
to play and run about happily
the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds
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3
as in displays
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.
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Recent Examples of sports
Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Visitors enjoy the park year-round, with snow sports in winter and hiking, fishing, boating, camping, and bicycling during July and August.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
With 26 miles of shoreline and three waterfalls, visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or exciting water sports by renting kayaks, paddleboards, and boats.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
Designs are still in the works, but possible amenities include a sports field, basketball and pickleball courts, and pathways.
—Rose Evans
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now!
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The current conditions of college sports in the transfer portal era undoubtedly have a hand in the success.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Considering the competitive realm of pro sports, teams constantly are seeking advantages.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Saturday, May 2 Kentucky Derby The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday in what’s known as the most exciting two minutes in sports.
—The Athletic Live Team, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
The Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts sports the Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center and the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
That said, the MG4 sports a semi-solid-state battery.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
The Vantage currently sports four exhaust pipes, two on each side, so the pipes in question are the units in the center of the car.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 Apr. 2026
Kylie Kelce on Sports and Parenting While Jason Kelce seems thrilled about his daughter’s budding golf game, wife Kylie Kelce has been open about her own thoughts on which sports their four daughters might pursue.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Vince Mulcahy, who sports a snow-white mustache and a slate-gray hunting vest, grew up in the Alaskan wilderness.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Hagan’s memo identified money that exceeded the tax’s projections, reallocated sports complex dollars or unallocated tax funds as potentially viable for the Rays.
—Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Visitors enjoy the park year-round, with snow sports in winter and hiking, fishing, boating, camping, and bicycling during July and August.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
With 26 miles of shoreline and three waterfalls, visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or exciting water sports by renting kayaks, paddleboards, and boats.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 May 2026
Designs are still in the works, but possible amenities include a sports field, basketball and pickleball courts, and pathways.
—Rose Evans
may 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now!
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The current conditions of college sports in the transfer portal era undoubtedly have a hand in the success.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Considering the competitive realm of pro sports, teams constantly are seeking advantages.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Saturday, May 2 Kentucky Derby The first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday in what’s known as the most exciting two minutes in sports.
—The Athletic Live Team, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Kacey Musgraves sports a bright red sweater and a black cowboy hat at the BBC Live Lounge in London on April 23.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
The Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts sports the Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center and the Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
That said, the MG4 sports a semi-solid-state battery.
—New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
The Vantage currently sports four exhaust pipes, two on each side, so the pipes in question are the units in the center of the car.
—Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 Apr. 2026
Kylie Kelce on Sports and Parenting While Jason Kelce seems thrilled about his daughter’s budding golf game, wife Kylie Kelce has been open about her own thoughts on which sports their four daughters might pursue.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Vince Mulcahy, who sports a snow-white mustache and a slate-gray hunting vest, grew up in the Alaskan wilderness.
—Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sports
Noun
-
One of his jokes in particular has drawn new attention, given the shooting incident at the dinner on Saturday, forcing the Secret Service to rush the Trumps and other administration officials from the dais and other seats near the stage.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Kimmel delivered the jokes about the first lady at a special version of his show that included his version of a fake monologue for the WHCD.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Alegría directed half of the show’s eight episodes; Urrejola plays the key character of Blanca.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 May 2026
-
The addition of the guest play-callers, Close and women’s water polo coach Adam Wright, led to a variety of trick plays throughout the game.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
The food dances seamlessly between Asian flavors, pulling inspiration from Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and more, and local ingredients from the Gulf South.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Guided by the imperious voiceover of family matriarch Ann (Francis Annis), Soames chases after the lovely Irene (Millie Gibson), who scandalously dances ballet and wants to go to Paris.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Critics say that strategy displays a misunderstanding of how the 109-year-old agency functions.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Ponds also plays with a chip on his shoulder and displays fearlessness both in coverage situations and against the run.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sites mix factual assertions about their targets with unsubstantiated conspiracies and defamatory claims of misconduct ranging from extortion and embezzlement to drug dealing and prostitution.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Moscow has also accused NATO nations of allowing their airspace to be used by Ukrainian drones attacking Russian targets -- allegations NATO leaders have denied.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Here, Matcha Milk toys the line between sweet and earthy, blending macadamia milk and vanilla with black tea and matcha accord.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Alix Earle takes her shoes off and hops on a mechanical bull at the Whiskey River x SipMargs event in Nashville Tennessee on April 24.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
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Named for the interesting seed pods that resemble hops, it is related to American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), as both are members of the birch family, but where Hophornbeam prefers upland soils, Hornbeam prefers floodplains.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The museum also has restored mining camp buildings and exhibits on the industry's history that don't require a ride underground.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The life of a music director at a major opera company is inevitably one engaged in tragedy, and Conlon exhibits the dramatic flair to grip its emotional immensity.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sports.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sports. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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