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.
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Recent Examples of free-for-all
The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Democrats are likely to have a comfortable lead in the general election, the crowded primary, set for June 2026, is currently a free-for-all.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Hostile powers, particularly Russia, are using this free-for-all to inject lies, designed to inflame antagonisms or simply muddy the waters, into the bloodstream of democracy.
—Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The testing of the limits of Grok devolved into a free-for-all as users asked it to create sexualized images of celebrities and others.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
While Democrats are likely to have a comfortable lead in the general election, the crowded primary, set for June 2026, is currently a free-for-all.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 Dec. 2025
Hostile powers, particularly Russia, are using this free-for-all to inject lies, designed to inflame antagonisms or simply muddy the waters, into the bloodstream of democracy.
—Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
AutoFlight has unveiled Matrix, a five-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and completed a public full-transition flight at its low-altitude test center.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, democratic socialist Rae Huang is running against the mayor from her political left on public safety, housing and other issues, appearing at one point with podcaster Hasan Piker.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
More thrilling than a hockey brawl?—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Back in 2018, a brawl nearly happened on the court after New Mexico forward Joe Furstinger shoved the Broncos’ Anthony Mathis following a 73-71 win for the visitors.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Starting last May, the Energy Department began issuing rolling 90-day orders for the plant to stay open.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Police have blocked the ATM lanes off with yellow crime scene tape, and multiple agencies, including Dallas police and Texas Rangers, can be seen searching the area around the open vestibules.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This is about Tom Homan and Greg Bovino and Kristi Noem and all the other immigration officials that have wrought so much unfounded havoc.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Expect Williams and Murphy to wreak similar havoc.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Panthers have 18 unrestricted free agents, a list that includes three offensive linemen, two specialists and a 1,000-yard rusher.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
During the evening, Maed Beauty founder Denise Vasi received an unrestricted $100,000 Sephora Beauty Grant.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sudan plunged into chaos in April 2023 when a power struggle between the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere in the country, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
At least 42 anti-ICE protesters were arrested Saturday after chaos unfolded outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, following a memorial for Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents last month.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The gates of hell are opened — and Maria (Sarah Sherman) is thrown out the window three times!—
Andy Hoglund,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Denver author Josiah Hesse was raised by Evangelical parents in churches that believe in the torments of hell, that their poverty is due to their sinfulness and lack of faith.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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