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
Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
Then, the rest of the show is a free-for-all of different looks and styles.
—Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 9 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.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 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
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
Jones says no official announcement regarding Glacier’s reservation system has been released, but all signs point towards a free-for-all this summer.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 28 Jan. 2026
Then, the rest of the show is a free-for-all of different looks and styles.
—Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 9 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.
—The Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 4 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
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
Columbia currently requires that all law enforcement agents have a judicial warrant or subpoena to access non-public areas of the university, including housing.—
JAKE OFFENHARTZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The Manhattan outpost was one of at least 102 Chinese police stations operating worldwide, run by regional Chinese public security services with direct links to the United Front, according to a 2022 report by Safeguard Defenders.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Two of the five teenagers detained in Quakertown remain in custody Thursday after an anti-ICE protest turned into a brawl with the police chief, according to an attorney for one of the teens.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Friars forward Duncan Powell struck a driving Hopkins in the head during the second half of the Red Storm’s eventual 79-69 win — a flagrant foul that sparked a brawl between the teams.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 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
-
The administration has since indicated that McDonald would instead report to the deputy attorney general -- like all other division heads -- though his confirmation hearing left open many questions about exactly what role Vance will have in overseeing investigations and prosecutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The blinds and curtains open automatically when the door is opened.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Service on the Rockaway Shuttle resumed around noon after an early-morning power outage on the peninsula played havoc with the shuttle’s signals.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The historic winter storm dumping up to 2 feet of snow in the Northeast is causing air travel havoc across the country.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Patterson, who made 27 of 29 field goals, is an unrestricted free agent.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Middleton is in the final months of his expiring contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, which gives him the opportunity to negotiate a new contract with the Mavericks or sign with a new team.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The weekend attacks have caused travel chaos worldwide as airlines cancel flights through key Middle Eastern hubs that have become the target of Iranian retaliation for hosting US military bases.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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But, before a year was up, freedom had begun to feel like chaos.—
Anand Gopal,
New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
After Cas pulls Dean out of hell, fans (and Collins himself) shipped the two (#Destiel) devotedly, and the show’s writers would occasionally throw some queerbaiting bones their way.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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Middle school is hell on earth.—
Alex Morris,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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