free-for-all

noun

: a competition, dispute, or fight open to all comers and usually with no rules : brawl
also : a chaotic situation resembling a free-for-all especially in lacking rules or structure
the press conference deteriorated into a free-for-all
free-for-all adjective

Examples of free-for-all in a Sentence

during the play-offs, fans of the opposing teams clashed in the streets in several free-for-alls it was a free-for-all when the doors to the arena opened and the crowd rushed in all at once
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This is Meat Carnival, the all-you-can-eat, free-for-all, for people who love meat and don't mind getting messy. Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 In retrospect, the GameStop free-for-all may have represented the peak of the easy-money IP boom. Simon Van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 Among the top three passenger cars sold in California, the Tesla Model 3 has fallen to third place, behind the Honda Civic and the Toyota Camry, potentially opening the door for a full-throttle free-for-all among automotive brands. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2024 The Constitution is for a Limited Government of Enumerated Powers, not a free-for-all of handouts and entitlements leading to uncontrollable deficits. Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for free-for-all 

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free-for-all was in 1874

Dictionary Entries Near free-for-all

Cite this Entry

“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-for-all. Accessed 20 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

free-for-all

noun
ˈfrē-fə-ˌrȯl
: a competition or fight open to all comers usually without rules
free-for-all adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on free-for-all

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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