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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But with Quirk-Silva prevented from running again in 2026 due to term limits, the race has become a free-for-all, especially on the Democratic side, where candidates are expected to spend heavily to stand out in what’s likely to become a crowded primary. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 May 2025 The federal government stepped into this free-for-all to regulate it, says Edward Berkowitz, emeritus professor of history at George Washington University. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 May 2025 Stronger Plants Will Muscle Out Weaker Plants In a free-for-all chaos garden, only the strongest plants will survive. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025 But the texting and blocking, the free-for-all backwaters of the internet and the carnal shenanigans that color contemporary TV teendom do put a different complexion on growing up. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for free-for-all

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free-for-all was in 1874

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Cite this Entry

“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-for-all. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

free-for-all

noun
ˈfrē-fə-ˌrȯl
: a competition or fight open to all comers usually without rules
free-for-all adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on free-for-all

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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