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
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
McMahon has pointed out that America’s wrestling fascination isn’t new—Abraham Lincoln was an accomplished free-for-all wrestler.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Expect plenty of flying shards and other obstacles to make the free-for-all more frenetic.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Founded in February 2021 by Tehranian and Matthew Vernon, Foundation distinguished itself from free-for-all marketplaces like OpenSea through an invite-only model aimed at digital artists and serious collectors.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
The hearing on Thursday at Norfolk Superior Court was a bit of a free-for-all, as attorneys representing various interests all weighed in on the requests for information.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
McMahon has pointed out that America’s wrestling fascination isn’t new—Abraham Lincoln was an accomplished free-for-all wrestler.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Expect plenty of flying shards and other obstacles to make the free-for-all more frenetic.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Founded in February 2021 by Tehranian and Matthew Vernon, Foundation distinguished itself from free-for-all marketplaces like OpenSea through an invite-only model aimed at digital artists and serious collectors.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
Glossip has received public support both nationally and internationally, including from celebrities like Kim Kardashian.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Their last public appearance as a couple was in November at Italy’s Torino Film Festival, according to E!—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Budget brawl House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley chats with legislators during the 2025 Georgia Legislative session.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
-
Suwałki police said in their release that officers responded to a report of a brawl that happened during a wedding reception held in an apartment in Suwałki.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
15 May 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
-
Under the revision, the Recreation Center would stay open 40 hours a week, a reduction from 60 hours.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
That assessment didn’t mention Taiwan directly, but, in relation to Iran, said both sides had agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas, must remain open.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The inconsistent role wreaked havoc with his shot.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Along with Harris, Javonte Green and Kevin Huerter will also be unrestricted free agents.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
The club made the somewhat unusual decision to place an unrestricted-free-agent tender on Rodgers, a paperwork move that gave the Steelers a bit of protection should Rodgers have opted to sign with another team before training camp opened in late July.—
Will Graves,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Steady footsteps changed from an organized march into chaos as civil rights protesters fled the attacks of police.—
Sarah Clifton,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
Somewhere in the chaos, a stylist balances an iced latte, three phones and a couture gown worth more than a Riviera apartment.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
All hell is unleashed as the aliens representing all kinds of shapes and class divisions from that planet square off with the locals.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
18 May 2026
-
Suddenly, all hell broke loose.—
Sebastian Smee,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
