slugfest

noun slug·fest \ ˈsləg-ˌfest \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Definition of slugfest

: a fight marked by the exchange of heavy blows; also : a heated dispute

a vocal slugfest

Recent Examples of slugfest from the Web

Really difficult’: Willson Contreras was one of the last Cubs out of the clubhouse after Sunday’s three-hour, 43-minute slugfest with the Twins.

— paul sullivan, chicagotribune.com, "Days off give Joe Maddon chance to reconfigure Cubs pitching rotation," 2 July 2018
But the down-to-earth personality, as well as a hard-hitting style that could turn into a slugfest at any moment, always seemed to endear him to MMA fans.

— matt erickson, USA TODAY, "Former UFC champ Johny Hendricks retires from MMA," 27 June 2018
As if that wasn't enough, Sunday's game turned into a slugfest that took 14 innings for Cleveland to pull out the win 10-9.

— Houston Chronicle, "Twitter has fun with 'Tyler' Bauer as Astros lose to Cleveland," 27 May 2018
Indiana’s three-way slugfest ended with Mike Braun, a wealthy businessman, prevailing over Luke Messer and Todd Rokita, both Republican congressmen.

— The Economist, "Fringe candidates and House Republicans fare poorly," 10 May 2018
What actually happened: With a place in the World Cup final on the line, France and Germany met for a slugfest in Seville.

— joshua robinson, WSJ, "The ‘Hand of God’ Delusion: World Cup History on Further Review," 14 June 2018
Compared to last week’s statewide slugfests in Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, the primaries being held in four states today are relatively quiet, even if the outcomes aren’t always clear.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Today’s Primary Preview: 3 Quiet States and Some Noise From Pennsylvania," 15 May 2018
Monday’s game, which initially resembled one of Coors Field’s zany slugfests, turned one-sided.

— dennis lin, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres' Luis Perdomo chased early in loss to Rockies," 17 July 2017
Heading into this series, the Cavs felt their seven-game slugfest against Indiana had prepared them for this level of physicality and tenacity.

— chris fedor, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Cavaliers get another taste of Indiana Pacers' blueprint, as Boston Celtics copy it en route to Game 1 blowout," 14 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slugfest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of slugfest

1916

in the meaning defined above

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