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
Then, the rest of the show is a free-for-all of different looks and styles.
—
Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Democrats are likely to have a comfortable lead in the general election, the crowded primary, set for June 2026, is currently a free-for-all.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
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.
Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Democrats are likely to have a comfortable lead in the general election, the crowded primary, set for June 2026, is currently a free-for-all.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Dec. 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 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share