as in public
freely available for use or participation by all
the public library has a free-for-all lending policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in brawl
a rough and often noisy fight usually involving several people
during the play-offs, fans of the opposing teams clashed in the streets in several free-for-alls
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in jumble
a state in which everything is out of order
it was a free-for-all when the doors to the arena opened and the crowd rushed in all at once
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of free-for-all
Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
Even Meta and Yandex were recently caught joining in the privacy-invasive free-for-all.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
There is little doubt, however, that corners have become a free-for-all and tackles that would have resulted in red cards five years ago are now routinely downgraded to yellows.
—Graham Scott, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The for-profit free-for-all with ketamine clinics has left consumers to navigate a vast marketplace where not all providers follow rigorous protocols.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
Instead of free-for-all combat, this mode is more objective-based.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026
Even Meta and Yandex were recently caught joining in the privacy-invasive free-for-all.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
There is little doubt, however, that corners have become a free-for-all and tackles that would have resulted in red cards five years ago are now routinely downgraded to yellows.
—Graham Scott, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The for-profit free-for-all with ketamine clinics has left consumers to navigate a vast marketplace where not all providers follow rigorous protocols.
—Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
Foreclosure proceedings began in August 2025, and the property was later approved for a public auction, NBC Connecticut reported.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
The death of Jameson has sparked outrage and questions across the city, prompting Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell to promise a full investigation and Mayor Karen Bass to offer a public tribute to the dog.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Cobb lives across the street from where the brawl happened.—
Brittney Ermon,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
Like all of the film’s most fist-pumping setpieces, of which there are several, the getaway brawl is a fevered array of different fighting styles that smash into each other like concrete blocks to create something faintly new.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Arches and natural bridges sweep like buttresses from jumbles of rock, giving this landscape a mystical, cathedral-like quality.—
Madison Chapman,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Each open practice will offer autograph sessions for children, games, concession stands, photo opportunities, and more.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
The new trains have open gangways, allowing riders and police to walk from one end to the other, and have microphones strategically located to alert officials to loud noises that may indicate a need for security intervention.—
Sara Gregory,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
El Niño can also wreak havoc on the many marine ecosystems that support the world’s fishing industries, including coral reefs and seagrass meadows.—
Dillon Amaya,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
-
From stunting and weakening plant growth to delaying flower production, these 1/10th-inch-long pests can wreak havoc.—
Abby Monteil,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Everything about the place signals a level of unrestricted aesthetic devotion at which money seems almost an abstract annoyance.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
-
Designed for unrestricted movement in a refined, flattering shape, the Copyleaf Wide-leg Yoga Pants are the perfect blend of style and comfort.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Metal barricades surrounded Madison Square Garden and police checkpoints were up around Penn Station as city officials scrambled to prevent a repeat of Wednesday night’s chaos, when dozens of fans were taken into custody after the Knicks’ historic comeback.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The couple, now preparing to welcome their first baby, are excited to see how the space will soften further, adapting to tiny feet and a little more chaos.—
Aditi Sharma,
Architectural Digest,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Politicians and pundits and former residents have battered New York City in recent years, branding our town as a symbol of a country gone to hell.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
14 June 2026
-
Sunday will be one hell of a day for America, that is for sure.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
