gladiatorial

adjective

glad·​i·​a·​to·​ri·​al ¦gladēə¦tōrēəl 

-tȯr-

1

: of, relating to, or suggestive of gladiators or the combats of gladiators

bloody gladiatorial spectacles

2

: inclined toward controversy or contention : quarrelsome

gladiatorial newspaper columnists

those gladiatorial contests in which the participants are encouraged to let their hostilities run riot

—R. H. Wittcoff

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