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
Lauren Frayer, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
The mode uses a free-for-all scoring system, where the goal is to knock out as many Pokémon as possible, and whoever scores the most knockouts wins the match.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
In his rail-splitting young-lawyer days, Lincoln is said to have gone 300–1 in free-for-all wrestling matches against tough guys across the Midwest.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
But the returns free-for-all really took off with the advent of internet shopping as e-commerce companies jockeyed for shoppers’ eyeballs and their wallets.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
But 80 years on, performers and spectators alike say rising costs threaten the Fringe's free-for-all vibe.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
The mode uses a free-for-all scoring system, where the goal is to knock out as many Pokémon as possible, and whoever scores the most knockouts wins the match.
—Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
In his rail-splitting young-lawyer days, Lincoln is said to have gone 300–1 in free-for-all wrestling matches against tough guys across the Midwest.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
But the returns free-for-all really took off with the advent of internet shopping as e-commerce companies jockeyed for shoppers’ eyeballs and their wallets.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
While malls generally prohibit firearms of any kind inside, businesses along public streets face a different situation.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
-
According to Google, more than 100 public universities have already signed up for the program.—
Sydney Sasser,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The feud between the two SmackDown stars has been building for weeks and recently culminated in a backstage brawl on the most recent episode of the show.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the epic No Limit-Cash Money brawl, which will be broadcast live from Las Vegas at ComplexCon.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ray’s most chaotic photograms—jumbles that push out of the frame or look like time bombs ready to explode—find echoes in his films, projected on the back walls, a show in themselves.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
-
In jumbles of old stones that, to me, are barely legible as the remains of buildings, Cocon López could see the entire timeline of old Aké and how later people interacted with and repurposed what came before.—
Lizzie Wade,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, other companies still aren’t so open to the idea.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Kaiser said in a notice to patients that its hospitals and medical offices would remain open in the event of a strike, but that the health system may reschedule some non-urgent appointments or elective surgeries.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Almost serpentine in her shimmering elegance, Thompson’s Hedda glides from room to room wreaking social havoc with her guests, an old lover, and even her husband that will, ultimately, have tragic consequences for all.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In contrast, effective interplay between James McClean, Doyle and O’Brien down the left was minimal, allowing QPR to dominate that flank, particularly during a first half when Harvey Vale and Rumarn Burrell caused havoc.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The other reality is that what looked like a star-laden unrestricted-free-agent crop for July 2026 is already pretty thinned out at the top with all the re-signings.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Mainly, as Marks mentioned, the Knicks and Mitchell did not agree to a contract extension this summer, and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
City sued after mayor blames Christians for violent clash with left-wing agitators.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The clash among the neighborhoods mirrored his internal strife over his biracial identity.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Robb Report,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the chaos of a collision, especially one involving fast-moving vehicles, capturing a clear license plate is often impossible.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Almost as suddenly as the whirlwind appears, the entire platform collapses in a fury of flames and chaos.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share