grudge match
noun
: a contest or fight between players, teams, etc., who dislike each other
The race had turned into a grudge match between the two teams.
Examples of grudge match in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a heated grudge match, the team of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky will face The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The Eagles dropped a second Littleton grudge match in four weeks, falling to the 5A Rebels after senior Will Monroe blocked a point-after attempt with 6:20 to go.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
With notions of a settlement once floated, and debtor loan plans of around $10 million in the mix to make sure lawyers are paid, the lawsuits seemed to have turned into a very un-Christian grudge match.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The biennial team golf grudge match pitting the U.S.A against Europe tees off at Bethpage Black in New York next Friday morning.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Lerner Dreamer and Coogan’s Bluff themselves had a bit of a grudge match.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Other highlights next weekend include Everton’s first competitive game at their new home, against Brighton, a grudge match (see above) between Palace and Forest at Selhurst Park and, on Monday night, Liverpool’s trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United and the wrath of a home crowd.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Saturday Night's Main Event will also feature multiple high-profile matches, including three title defenses, a grudge match between Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre, and the crowning of the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025
The Eagles dropped a second Littleton grudge match in four weeks, falling to the 5A Rebels after senior Will Monroe blocked a point-after attempt with 6:20 to go.
—Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
With notions of a settlement once floated, and debtor loan plans of around $10 million in the mix to make sure lawyers are paid, the lawsuits seemed to have turned into a very un-Christian grudge match.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025
The biennial team golf grudge match pitting the U.S.A against Europe tees off at Bethpage Black in New York next Friday morning.
—Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Lerner Dreamer and Coogan’s Bluff themselves had a bit of a grudge match.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Other highlights next weekend include Everton’s first competitive game at their new home, against Brighton, a grudge match (see above) between Palace and Forest at Selhurst Park and, on Monday night, Liverpool’s trip to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United and the wrath of a home crowd.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Saturday Night's Main Event will also feature multiple high-profile matches, including three title defenses, a grudge match between Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre, and the crowning of the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Grudge match.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grudge%20match. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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