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Showing results for gamesmanship.
Definitions

gamesmanship

[geymz-muhn-ship] / ˈgeɪmz mənˌʃɪp /
NOUN
one-upmanship
Synonyms
STRONG
artfulness competition cunning cutthroat
WEAK
bettering cageyness canniness competitive advantage competitive edge outfoxing outsmarting outwitting rivaling
NOUN
sportsmanship
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fairness honesty sincerity virtue
STRONG
forthrightness goodness honor honorableness principle righteousness
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dishonesty
NOUN
stratagem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gimmick one-upmanship ploy ruse subterfuge wile
STRONG
action angle artifice bit brainchild child con deception device dodge feint gambit game intrigue layout maneuver method pitch plan play plot pretext proposition racket scenario scene scheme setup shift slant stall story switch twist
WEAK
booby trap game plan grift little game
Antonyms
STRONG
frankness honesty honor inactivity openness reality stagnation truth truthfulness

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

Clearly believing it was an act of gamesmanship and a delaying tactic, Brighton's Joel Veltman unceremoniously tried to drag Saka to his feet, prompting a push and an angry exchange.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

There’s a bit of gamesmanship involved in these decisions — the most recent change, in November 2024, substituted chipmaker Nvidia for chipmaker Intel.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

“The gamesmanship in this request is apparent and the Government makes no attempts to hide it,” Sotomayor writes.

From Slate • Jun. 27, 2025

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

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Vocabulary lists containing gamesmanship

Vocabulary from Academy Award Nominees and Winners

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