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
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Recent Examples of free-for-all
Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
If your suitcase currently resembles a laundry free-for-all, consider this your sign to upgrade for the new year.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Most consequentially, Adams, in a bid to improve equity, permanently scrapped the high-stakes qualifying exam in favor of the current, somewhat free-for-all process in which pre-K teachers can nominate an unlimited number of their students, who are then entered into a (now larger) lottery.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
The 100-lap free-for-all features aggressive racing by drivers pushing to rise the ranks.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
In that case, aim for moderation, not a free-for-all.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Mar. 2026
If your suitcase currently resembles a laundry free-for-all, consider this your sign to upgrade for the new year.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Most consequentially, Adams, in a bid to improve equity, permanently scrapped the high-stakes qualifying exam in favor of the current, somewhat free-for-all process in which pre-K teachers can nominate an unlimited number of their students, who are then entered into a (now larger) lottery.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026
The 100-lap free-for-all features aggressive racing by drivers pushing to rise the ranks.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
According to people close to him, the president frequently praises Rubio in both private and public settings, at times casting him as a possible all-time great at the State Department.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
In a rare public tirade against a member of their ranks, leaders insisted that Orbán must respect the 27-nation bloc's decision in December to fund Ukraine's armed forces and strained economy for the next two years.—
LORNE COOK,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This episode includes the infamous knock-down-drag-out brawl in the office that ended their partnership and their friendship.—
Lisa DePaulo,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
-
One specimen examined by Brochu’s team displayed multiple, partially healed jaw injuries indicative of a brawl with a fellow ambush predator.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Macaroons are chewy jumbles of coconut bound together with egg whites and sweetened condensed milk.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The result also spotlights conference championships’ awkward fit in the current system, particularly given the fact that conference expansion has led to jumbles atop each league’s standings.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
7 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Langford, three innings later, tore it open with a three-run home run into left field for his fifth of the spring.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
But soccer turned out to be the best fit for her open, quiet and determined personality.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Originally a 16th-round pick out of the University of Washington in 2021, Ward has set himself apart throughout his minor league career for his ability to get on base and cause havoc.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Numerous types of nematodes and pests can create havoc with a carrot crop, especially those that love carrot roots.—
Haniya Rae,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Raiders have 13 of their own unrestricted free agents still on the market as of Friday afternoon.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Now, 25 years later, the next generation of students have turned to AI—and education experts warn unrestricted use of the technology could atrophy critical thinking skills.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Combine week brought public rumor mill chaos about his knee; reporting also noted his family and some insiders pushed back hard on it as misinformation.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Even so, kitchen atmospheres have long been filled with chaos and intensity.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since Gary was on the road, Georgia rang up Lou, giving her hell.—
Jonathan Bernstein,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
-
All hell is about to break loose.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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