slugfest

noun

Definition of slugfestnext
as in fisticuffs

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of slugfest When the dust settled, the A’s lost a 12-inning, 29-run and 34-hit slugfest that saw A’s hitters amass seven home runs — two apiece for Tyler Soderstrom and Nick Kurtz — but still come up short 15-14. — Sean Campbell june 9, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026 The change will need to come fast if Microsoft is going to come from behind in the biggest and costliest industrial slugfest in human history. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 For those more interested in the Western Conference’s heavyweight slugfest between the defending champion Thunder and upstart Spurs, only one team has former Warriors involved. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 Miami and the Louisville Cardinals found themselves in a slugfest on Saturday to wrap up the three-game series at Mark Light Field. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slugfest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugfest
  1. fistfight
  2. blows
  3. duel
  4. melee
  5. punch-up
  6. punch-out
  7. confrontation
  8. brawl
Noun
  • Some puzzlers describe solving the crossword as a workout; for me, today’s was a knock-down, drag-out fistfight.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors said the two men had communicated via text and phone calls to discuss arranging a fistfight to resolve their ongoing conflict, the Brownwood News reported.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of fistfight
Noun
  • The company has suffered from several high-profile legal blows this year that have resulted in multibillion-dollar penalties.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Ukraine and Russia trading energy infrastructure blows aren't helping the situation either.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of blows
Noun
  • When an ingenious serial killer begins murdering Minneapolis citizens, Davenport, a brilliant polymath and unconventional investigator, takes the case, sparking an intense psychological duel with an equally intelligent adversary.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Snell opened the seventh by walking Andrew Vaughn and losing an 11-pitch duel to Bauers, who won the battle with a two-run homer.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of duel
Noun
  • Mings then grabbed Greenwood by the shirt, ripping it and leading to a melee.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The fifth man had escaped during the melee; he was found dead of his injuries a half mile away.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of melee
Noun
  • About deluded coaches and philandering teammates and practice-field punch-ups.
    — Leander Schaerlaeckens June 8, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • Among them are Neeson as a Great Gatsby-esque type who puts Declan in the hospital after a punch-up and Cleese as a priest who also doubles as the Grim Reaper.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 May 2026
Definition of punch-up
Noun
  • Most people aren’t focused on Advent calendars right now — those chocolates hidden under perforated punch-outs to celebrate each day of the season.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
  • During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to reporters, the Patriots practiced punch-out drills directly in front of reporters.
    — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of punch-out
Noun
  • Iran and Saudi Arabia represent competing religious ideologies and have been locked in a regional rivalry for decades, culminating in an outright confrontation earlier this year after the US and Israel launched a war on the Islamic Republic.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Not through confrontation, but through sensitivity, through encounter and through the possibility of listening to one another.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of confrontation
Noun
  • If Republicans lose big next month, there’ll be a brawl to assign blame — which consultants blew it, which ads wasted money, which issues didn’t work.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There are brawls over policy that lead to lawsuits, but the main drama is the 2023 school board election, where the Democrats hoped to reverse the Republicans’ 6-3 majority.
    — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of brawl

Browse Nearby Words

slug (down)
slugfest
slugfests
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Cite this Entry

“Slugfest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugfest. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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