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Wortgefecht

verbal clash, war of words

noun VORT-ghe-fekht Rare
Communication Speech

Usage Note

Wortgefecht combines Wort (word) and Gefecht (battle/skirmish); it vividly describes a heated verbal exchange without physical violence, common in journalism to describe parliamentary or public debates.

Examples

"Das Wortgefecht zwischen den beiden Kandidaten war mitreißend."

Natural Translation

The verbal clash between the two candidates was gripping.

Literal Translation

The word-battle between the two candidates was gripping.

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