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That interpretation is hotly contested, and not just by English football fans.—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 21 May 2025 In the latter category, though not as hotly debated as say, the Palme d’Or winner, is the now de rigueur practice of timing standing ovations.—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025 That's not to say today's matchup won't be intense and hotly contested.—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025 Despite being hotly debated, these questions will not be directly before the justices on Thursday.—Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hotly
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of hotly was
before the 12th century
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