Definition of "hotly" []

• In an intense or fiery way: a hotly contested will. (adverb)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "On a positive note, as I see it, the market continues to offer chances for smaller shops to win hotly contested midline ($75k-$150k) assignments."
• "Granser promptly began to weep, while Edwin hotly took up his defense."
• "The first lady will also be stumping for three Democratic candidates in hotly contested House races: Rep. Debbie Halvorson, Rep. Bill Foster and candidate Dan Seals."