SPORT Synonyms: 239 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'sport' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun , game , jest , and play . While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone. // teasing begun in sport led to anger

Q: When is 'fun' a more appropriate choice than 'sport'?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose. // played cards just for fun

Q: How are the words 'game' and 'sport' related?

Game is close to sport , and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun. // made game of their poor relations

Q: Where would 'jest' be a reasonable alternative to 'sport'?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing. // hurt by remarks said only in jest

Q: When can 'play' be used instead of 'sport'?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief. // pretended to strangle his brother in play

sport 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sport next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in game

an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged

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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

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as in joke

a person or thing that is made fun of had become the long-suffering sport of the village

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sport

2 of 2

verb

ˈspȯrt

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

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as in to dance

to play and run about happily the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds

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as in to display

to present so as to invite notice or attention sported his flashy new car by driving it all over town

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun, game, jest, and play. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

When is fun a more appropriate choice than sport?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

Where would jest be a reasonable alternative to sport?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When can play be used instead of sport?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Examples 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

Noun

Whether your preferred sport is football, hockey or hoops, please vote which team right now has the best coach. —

Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025 The circus of cameras turned the football program’s director of sports performance into more of a sports information director. —

Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Verb

In Indianapolis, many fans will sport the green and gold to cheer on the state's best college football team to victory. —

Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 It can be had with either a 16-inch radius or 9.5 to 16-inch compound radius, and sports 22 jumbo nickel frets. —

New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sport

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport

Noun

Help beautify Quarry park Saratoga parks and recreation commissioners are inviting the community to help beautify Quarry Park and its trails on Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-noon.

— Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2025
There was a sense of normalcy among the kids gathered at the recreation center, despite the upheaval in their families’ lives.

— Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025