SLUGFEST Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

slugfest

noun

Definition of slugfest

as in fisticuffs

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

truce

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 But unlike the Wimbledon example, there’s no final score the robots can reach to end their slugfest. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 23 July 2025 Rather than pick up where Man of Steel left off, this sequel rewinds to Superman’s battle with Zod, revealing that none other than Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) was caught up in the damage of the Kryptonian slugfest. — Will Harris, EW.com, 11 July 2025 Can the Cubs ride the momentum from their Saturday slugfest? — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025 The game was a defensive slugfest, particularly in the second half. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for slugfest

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slugfest

Noun

Later, Enola also participates in a horseback chase and violent fistfight with the female villain.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026
Its satirical video, depicting politicians descending into an all-out fistfight, proved especially prescient during the fevered atmosphere of the 2016 election cycle.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 17 June 2026

Definition of fistfight

Noun

In a little corner of my mind, however, history will always mean the tragic smashing of individual lives by its cruel hands and the scattering of bewildered people reeling from its blows.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
One way to look at the Washington Nationals’ kick-in-the-groin sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees — three leads in the eighth inning, three dizzying losses — is that none of the previous blows this team has taken have permanently felled it.

— Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Definition of blows

Noun

While Sunday afternoon’s anticipated pitching duel turned into a laugher of a loss for the Yankees, the day’s second game starved them and the Dodgers for offense despite both teams throwing a bullpen game.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026
Calm on the ball, Rodri is a ferocious monster off it, hoovering up second balls with his sharp anticipation and brushing opponents aside in duels with his imposing physicality.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of duel

Noun

Police arrested more than 400 people after a melee in which businesses were smashed and goods stolen, and fireworks were dispatched in crowds.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
When a group of younger players wanted to leave a team dinner early to play table tennis, Son objected and injured his finger in the melee that followed.

— Tomás Hill López-Menchero, New York Times, 29 June 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

The union’s policy, as conveyed to The Athletic, is not to create any apparel that features a confrontation between members of the union.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Backstage, a chaotic confrontation over a briefcase between Judgment Day, Danhausen, and Joe Hendry led to Oba Femi's dominant victory over JD McDonagh.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of confrontation

Browse Nearby Words

slug (down)

slugfest

slugfests

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slugfest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slugfest. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of slugfest

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dog days

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes