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
Rhodes brought up Fatu’s criminal past, but both were able to keep their hands to themselves headed into their grudge match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
—
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Houston won the grudge match, 115-101, snapping Denver’s six-game winning streak.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
The National Women's Soccer League final is set to be a grudge match between NY/NJ Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, a fierce regional rivalry known for its high-energy play on the field.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
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
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
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
The Kings got through 60 minutes of their 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames unscathed on Thursday night, the most important goal for a team bound for the playoffs and a Game 1 grudge match with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
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Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Houston won the grudge match, 115-101, snapping Denver’s six-game winning streak.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
The National Women's Soccer League final is set to be a grudge match between NY/NJ Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit, a fierce regional rivalry known for its high-energy play on the field.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 22 Nov. 2025
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
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
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
The Kings got through 60 minutes of their 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames unscathed on Thursday night, the most important goal for a team bound for the playoffs and a Game 1 grudge match with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grudge match.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grudge%20match. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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