heated contest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heated contest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a competition or rivalry that is intense and emotionally charged. Example: "The election turned into a heated contest, with both candidates exchanging sharp criticisms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Voters go to the polls here on Wednesday to choose a president and local council representatives in a surprisingly heated contest pitting voters' desire for change against their fear of instability.

The New York Times

Mr. Richardson, 62, the country's only Hispanic governor, has largely sat out the heated contest.

The New York Times

This is a heated contest, and partisan feelings are running high.

The New York Times

A heated contest involved a new k-8 school that would accommodate primarily children from The Hills.

The New York Times

But also because he appeared to malfunction midway through the heated contest when the subject of Britain's insurmountable debt came up.

Independent

At the 1952 Convention, 11 names were placed in nomination in a heated contest between Adlai Stevenson, Estes Kefauver, Richard Russell, Averell Harriman and Paul Dever.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Mr. Daghlian said that typically New York primaries draw about 25percentt of the eligible voters, but that this number may be higher this year because the primary is being held earlier than in past years and therefore has more potential impact, and because both the Republican and Democratic Parties have heated contests under way.

The New York Times

Across the pond on London, things picked up during a heated staring contest.

The Guardian - Sport

Together with the previous reporting on a particularly heated presidential contest, it sows strong doubts about whether, when and how politicians today can hope to command fidelity".

The New York Times

Together with previous reporting on a particularly heated presidential contest, it sows strong doubts about whether, when and how politicians today can hope to command fidelity.

The New York Times

treaty remains an issue in the increasingly heated Republican contest for the Presidential nomination, despite the fact that, on December 17th, Robert Dole ended his public uncertainty over whether he would support the treaty — at a White House briefing, with the President momentarily by his side.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heated contest" to describe situations where competition is not only intense but also evokes strong emotions or disagreements among participants.

Common error

Avoid using "heated contest" in purely technical or objective scenarios where emotions or personal rivalries are not significant factors. For example, it's less appropriate for describing a scientific experiment where scientists are competing for results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heated contest" functions as a noun phrase, where "heated" modifies the noun "contest". It describes a specific type of competition characterized by high intensity and emotional involvement. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is readily understood and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heated contest" effectively describes competitions marked by intensity and emotional charge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "intense competition" or "fierce rivalry" exist, "heated contest" specifically highlights the emotional aspect of the competition. When using this phrase, consider whether the situation involves not only high stakes but also notable emotional involvement or conflict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heated battle

Highlights the presence of conflict and potentially strong disagreement.

intense competition

Focuses on the competitive aspect, emphasizing the high level of rivalry involved.

fierce rivalry

Highlights the animosity or strong opposition between the competitors.

vigorous competition

Emphasizes the active and energetic nature of the competition.

close race

Indicates that the competitors are very near to each other in terms of performance or results.

tight battle

Suggests a struggle where the outcome is uncertain and requires significant effort.

spirited match

Implies enthusiasm and energy from all participants involved.

contentious struggle

Focuses on the element of dispute or disagreement.

passionate competition

Emphasizes the emotional investment and strong feelings of the participants.

cutthroat competition

Implies ruthless behavior and a willingness to do anything to win.

FAQs

How can I use "heated contest" in a sentence?

You can use "heated contest" to describe any situation where there is a strong, often emotional, competition. For example: "The election turned into a heated contest after the candidates began attacking each other's personal lives."

What's a good alternative to "heated contest"?

Alternatives include "intense competition", "fierce rivalry", or "close race" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "heated contest" in formal writing?

Yes, "heated contest" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports or analytical pieces where the intensity of the competition is a key factor.

What makes a "heated contest" different from a regular competition?

A "heated contest" implies a higher level of emotional involvement, personal attacks, or significant disagreements between the competitors, whereas a regular competition might be more focused on objective performance metrics.