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Synonyms

gamesmanship

American  
[geymz-muhn-ship] / ˈgeɪmz mənˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. the use of methods, especially in a sports contest, that are dubious or seemingly improper but not strictly illegal.

  2. the technique or practice of manipulating people or events so as to gain an advantage or outwit one's opponents or competitors.

gamesmanship British  
/ ˈɡeɪmzmənˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. informal the art of winning games or defeating opponents by clever or cunning practices without actually cheating

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • gamesman noun

Etymology

Origin of gamesmanship

1945–50; game 1 + -s 3 + -manship, perhaps on the model of sportsmanship

Vocabulary lists containing gamesmanship

Vocabulary from Academy Award Nominees and Winners

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kalshi dismissed the charges as "seriously flawed" and "gamesmanship," saying Arizona was attempting to short-circuit its own lawsuit against the state, filed on March 12.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Australia coach Joe Schmidt says he was "disappointed" by England's "gamesmanship" with the match officials in the build-up to the Wallabies' 25-7 defeat at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

“There’s a level of gamesmanship that goes on throughout the playoffs,” explained Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2025

He is often hostile to prisoner claims, but allergic to judicial gamesmanship.

From Slate • Jun. 16, 2025

Maybe it was gamesmanship to try to throw me off, but it wasn’t working.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.