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Glite Dictionary
slugfest

slugfest

7 8.0
A very rough fight or argument where people attack each other a lot
  • noun
  • /ˈslʌɡfɛst/
  • Literature
: pelea
  • The political debate quickly devolved into a slugfest, with both candidates throwing sharp insults.
  • win this slugfest
  • get into a slugfest
  • defensive slugfest

Then Stefan and Forrest got in there and just went toe to toe in this unbelievable slugfest live on free television when cable still mattered.

Examples

  • Last night's game was exactly the type of physical slugfest the Warriors used to lose.

    Blog text (17)

  • In a slugfest for the ages, young buck Riddick Bowe polished off Evander Holyfield.

    Blog text (8)

  • The game started as a slugfest, and neither defense let up.

    Blog text (28)

  • Every time you guys get together man, it's like a slugfest.

    Judgment Night (1993)

  • Here are some matchups that will have an impact on what I see as a physical slugfest.

    Blog text (12)

  • The Golden Eagles will play with more intensity and motivation throughout the course of this 60-minute slugfest.

    Blog text (4)

  • If the Cal D can get pressure on Mannion, this will turn into a good old-fashioned slugfest.

    Blog text (28)

  • In the 1959 version of this rivalry, a low-scoring, 7-6 slugfest, big plays were few and far between.

    Blog text (8)

  • And the Longhorns prevail in a slugfest, 27-17.

    My All American (2015)

  • The match turned into a real slugfest as both teams fought hard for victory.

Synonyms

brawl
vsslugfest
60 4.6

A noisy, violent fight among a group in a public place

focuses more on sustained, intense hand-to-hand violence
bout
vsslugfest
50 4.1

A short fight or contest, often in boxing

implies a longer, wilder, bare-knuckle struggle rather than one match
fistfight
vsslugfest
28 3.3

A fight where people hit each other with their bare hands

is broader and stresses a prolonged intense bare-knuckle struggle
melee
vsslugfest
19 8.4

A loud, confused fight among many people

emphasizes prolonged close combat rather than just confusion
dogfight
vsslugfest
11 7.0

A close, fierce fight between fighter planes or in a contest

applies to prolonged bare-fist fights rather than tactical aerial combat
grapple
vsslugfest
3 6.7

A close hand-to-hand fight often seen in wrestling

is broader and more violent, not limited to controlled grappling
battle royal
vsslugfest
  • Informal
1 7.0

A noisy fight involving many people in one place

is more about continuous intense struggle, not only group disorder
fisticuffs
vsslugfest
  • Archaic
9.5

A physical fight using only hands between people

is the more intense prolonged form rather than brief scuffle

Antonyms

friendly competition
7 2.8

A contest between people done in a kind, playful way to make each other try harder

How Fierce

slugfest
  • Literature
7 8.0
melee
19 8.4
brawl
60 4.6
fight
∞ 1.0
scuffle
25 3.7

Surface Forms

slugfest singular
slugfests plural

Morphology

slugfest = slug + fest (semi-transparent) = slug + fest

The components 'slug' (to hit) and 'fest' (gathering/event) make the idea of an event of hitting understandable, but '-fest' is an informal/clipped element and the compound is slang, so learners may not fully predict the sense.

Etymology

Slugfest comes from slug, a slang word for 'a hard punch' or 'to hit', and -fest, from 'festival', a big event. So it is like a 'festival of punches' and now means a fierce or very intense fight or contest.