: free of restrictions or hampering conventions
a no-holds-barred contest

Examples of no-holds-barred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The no-holds-barred, no gloves, everything-goes fighting had been happening in Brazil for many years. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'no-holds-barred.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of no-holds-barred was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near no-holds-barred

Cite this Entry

“No-holds-barred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-holds-barred. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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