sportlessadj.
/ˈspɔːtləs/, U.S. /ˈspɔrtləs/ Devoid of, or lacking in, sport; characterized by the absence of sport.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > feeling of weariness or tedium > [adjective] > wearisome or tedious > not amusing or entertaining
unpleasant1558
sportless1598
unridiculous1646
undistractinga1684
undiverting1695
unentertaining1695
indivertive1700
unamusive1755
unanimating1785
unamusing1794
unexciting1833
sober1838
unstimulating1844
zilch1958
1598 R. Carew Herrings Tayle sig. C2 Mars his sportles game was neuer better plaied.
1621 G. Sandys tr. Ovid First Five Bks. Metamorphosis ii. 37 The Fishes to the bottom diue: nor dare The sportlesse Dolphins tempt the sultrie Ayre.
1633 P. Fletcher Piscatorie Eclogs vii. i. 43 in Purple Island Her weeping eyes in pearled dew she steeps, Casting what sportlesse nights she ever led.
1856 S. Brown Acct. Itinerating Libraries (rev. ed.) v. 47 It was surely one of the final causes of his existence to furnish..their sportless circle with food for laughter.
1895 Baily's Mag. May 356 The use of the minnow..is a method of taking fish which is sportless, artless, and as bad as anything I know.
1914 R. H. Schauffler Joyful Heart 123 There is something to be said for sportless exercise.
1977 Times 28 Nov. 12/2 Out of so many millions of sporting words every season, some work of noble note might yet be saved, for..the long sportless evenings.
2005 Boston Globe (Nexis) 13 Nov. e9 I begin to bristle when athletics are removed from the picture, leaving an abstract priesthood, the sportless coach.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1598