slugfest

Noun

slugfest (plural slugfests)

1. (slang) A baseball game in which many runs are scored, especially by home runs.
   • The game turned into a 15-9 slugfest.
   • In a World Series that has come to be defined by the unpredictable and unexpected, it was only fitting that one night, after a lights-out pitchers’ duel between the heretofore unremarkable Alex Wood and Charlie Morton, a slugfest would unfold that sent the Cy Young Award winners Clayton Kershaw and...2017 October 30, Billy Witz, “Astros Down the Dodgers in a Dramatic and Dizzying Slugfest”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
2. (slang) A game or match in which heavy blows are exchanged.
   • The championship bout was a slugfest; both boxers were bloodied.
   • But while Roger Federer and Serena Williams were bludgeoning their opponents off the main court in a combined 126 minutes, the fans looking for a fantastic match stuffed into Armstrong Stadium next door to watch a mesmerizing slugfest between seventh-seeded Gaël Monfils of France and Juan Carlos...2011 September 1, Lynn Zinser, “Amid Favorites’ Easy Knockouts, Ferrero Prevails in a Lengthy Slugfest”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
3. (figuratively) A tough, heated contest.
   • Lakers win slugfest over Clippers
   • There isn’t much reason to be optimistic about thoughtful dialogue in this general election. Both sides are girded for a negative, no-holds-barred slugfest.2016 May 8, Albert R. Hunt, “Trump and Clinton Campaigns Gear Up for a Slugfest”, in The New York Times, →ISSN