free-for-all

noun

ˈfrē-fə-ˌrȯl 

: 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

Synonyms

• affray [chiefly British]
• brawl
• broil
• donnybrook
• fracas
• fray
• melee
• mêlée
• rough-and-tumble
• row
• ruckus
• ruction

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

But Sunday’s event in Santa Monica quickly turned into a free-for-all as frustrated residents pressed officials on an array of issues. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025

Four trends that will shape tech's free-for-all world under Trump: Rail-free AI: Regulation takes a back seat. —Mike Allen, Axios, 22 Jan. 2025

The inaugural entry in the series was actually a one-on-one fighting game like Samurai Shodown or Soulcalibur, bearing little resemblance to the free-for-all style the franchise is now known for. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025

Loss of Professional Standards - A deregulated platform can devolve into a digital free-for-all, where harmful speech, scams, and unprofessional conduct thrive. —Amy Blankson, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

free-for-all

noun

ˈfrē-fə-ˌrȯl

: a competition or fight open to all comers usually without rules

free-for-all adjective