fiercely contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fiercely contested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, event, or competition that is characterized by intense rivalry or struggle. Example: "The championship match was fiercely contested, with both teams giving their all to secure victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Passage was fiercely contested.

The Guardian

He says this is now fiercely contested.

The Economist

The 2001 election was fiercely contested.

The Economist

It will be fiercely contested this autumn.

The Economist

I bet that's a fiercely contested title.

The Guardian

The city is a fiercely contested prize.

The Guardian

This is always a fiercely contested division.

The New York Times

So who shone brightest during the fiercely contested encounter?

Independent

The legality of this is still fiercely contested.

The Economist

But none were as fiercely contested as the first one.

The New York Times

Such positions are fiercely contested by biodiesel producers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fiercely contested" to describe scenarios where there is significant opposition, competition, or debate, and where the outcome is uncertain due to the intensity of the struggle.

Common error

Avoid using "fiercely contested" in very casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly dramatic or out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "highly competitive" or "closely fought" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fiercely contested" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the intensity of a competition, debate, or struggle, indicating a high level of opposition and engagement. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe elections, battles, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fiercely contested" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that describes situations characterized by intense competition or dispute. Ludwig's examples showcase its prominence in news and media, as well as academic and encyclopedia sources. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, where its emphasis on intensity adds significant impact. While being usable in written English, there are alternative options such as "heavily disputed" or "intensely fought" which may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intensely fought

Emphasizes the active struggle, replacing "contested" with "fought" and "fiercely" with "intensely".

heavily disputed

Replaces "fiercely" with "heavily", focusing on the intensity of the dispute rather than the contest.

closely contested

Highlights the close nature of the contest, using "closely" to indicate the tight competition.

highly competitive

Shifts the focus to the competitive nature of the situation, using "highly" instead of "fiercely".

bitterly disputed

Indicates a dispute filled with animosity, replacing "fiercely" with "bitterly".

keenly challenged

Highlights the active challenge involved, using "keenly" to convey the intensity.

vigorously debated

Focuses on the debate aspect, replacing "contested" with "debated" and "fiercely" with "vigorously".

hotly debated

Similar to vigorously debated, but uses a more informal term "hotly".

stiffly resisted

Emphasizes the resistance aspect with the adjective "stiffly".

strenuously opposed

Shifts the focus to opposition, suggesting a strong resistance rather than a competition.

FAQs

How can I use "fiercely contested" in a sentence?

You can use "fiercely contested" to describe situations involving intense competition or disagreement, such as "The election was "fiercely contested", with both candidates vying for every vote".

What are some alternatives to "fiercely contested"?

Some alternatives include "heavily disputed", "intensely fought", or "closely contested", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fiercely contested" in academic writing?

Yes, "fiercely contested" is appropriate for academic writing when describing debates or arguments that are strongly opposed and actively challenged. In certain contexts, this term could be seen as biased, thus consider if a more neutral phrasing would improve the writing.

What's the difference between "fiercely contested" and "strongly opposed"?

"Fiercely contested" implies an active struggle or competition, while "strongly opposed" suggests a firm resistance or disagreement. The former is more dynamic, involving a back-and-forth, while the latter is more static, indicating a fixed position.