free-for-all
noun
: a competition, dispute, or fight open to all comers and usually with no rules : brawl
also
: a chaotic situation resembling a free-for-all especially in lacking rules or structure
the press conference deteriorated into a free-for-all
free-for-all
adjective
Examples of free-for-all in a Sentence
during the play-offs, fans of the opposing teams clashed in the streets in several free-for-alls
it was a free-for-all when the doors to the arena opened and the crowd rushed in all at once
Recent Examples on the Web
Frequent clashes between Mexican soccer fans and police on Pacific — especially a 1998 free-for-all that led to 31 arrests — prompted dispatches painting the place as an out-of-control Mexican colony.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
The party devolves into a free-for-all, with attendees driving the family’s Mercedes into the swimming pool and playing with flamethrowers.
—Beth Sobol, People.com, 8 July 2025
Instead, next up is the free-for-all that follows the draft as teams stock summer rosters with undrafted free agents.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
And then the free-for-all begins Monday afternoon, though nothing will be official with free agency, sign-and-trades and the like until next Sunday.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
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Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
The party devolves into a free-for-all, with attendees driving the family’s Mercedes into the swimming pool and playing with flamethrowers.
—Beth Sobol, People.com, 8 July 2025
Instead, next up is the free-for-all that follows the draft as teams stock summer rosters with undrafted free agents.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2025
And then the free-for-all begins Monday afternoon, though nothing will be official with free agency, sign-and-trades and the like until next Sunday.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-for-all. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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