slugfest

noun

slug·​fest ˈsləg-ˌfest 

: a fight marked by the exchange of heavy blows

also : a heated dispute

a vocal slugfest

Examples of slugfest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their last two games have been an impressive mix of an offensive shootout (131-118 win over Memphis Grizzlies) and a defensive slugfest (98-79 win over Los Angeles Clippers). —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

That came two days after another slugfest of a contest that saw the teams combine for eight misconducts, four fights and another 186 penalty minutes at Tampa’s Benchmark International Arena. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025

The game could be categorized as a slugfest that showed both teams matching punch for punch, with Bishop Feehan (3-1) turning on the gas late and pulling away for the victory. —Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025

Then came a back-and-forth slugfest for the final 11 minutes, with the Cardinals responding with their own touchdown (1-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Trey McBride against Dee Winters’ coverage). —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for slugfest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed