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
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
The airline announced its plans to end its free-for-all seating arrangement last summer.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
Frequent clashes between Mexican soccer fans and police on Pacific — especially a 1998 free-for-all that led to 31 arrests — prompted dispatches painting the place as an out-of-control Mexican colony.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
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
The airline announced its plans to end its free-for-all seating arrangement last summer.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 21 July 2025
Frequent clashes between Mexican soccer fans and police on Pacific — especially a 1998 free-for-all that led to 31 arrests — prompted dispatches painting the place as an out-of-control Mexican colony.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, the network’s president, Rebecca Kutler, issued a public apology.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Josh Snyder reports on how the state LEARNS Act has changed public education, including on the local level.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Cherry interrupts their twosome and a brawl ensues.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Months before at the same campus, a 100-person brawl had led to the cancelation of an event featuring another Turning Point USA speaker.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
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Baker also leads the orchestra, which sounds grand — although the sound in the arts center’s Pugh Theater often left musicians, lead singers and chorus all at the same level, with actors speaking over all of it at the same time to create a sonic jumble.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There are a few elements still in the works, including a spa and the soon-to-open Sycamore House, a board-and-batten structure that will include eight additional guest rooms.—
Degen Pener,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This area of open magnetic fields more easily releases charged particles into space.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Turner made some key adjustments at the plate for this season to focus on creating havoc on the basepaths rather than hitting just for power.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Offensive line woes help Falcons cause havoc There were other issues leading to the problems that McCarthy faced, including injuries to backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For years, Stern occupied rarified air, an unrestricted satellite radio show where high-profile celebrities could chat, unfiltered, for hours.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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Each will receive an unrestricted grant of $50,000.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those clashes became viral videos that cemented his reputation as a culture warrior.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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On November 25, the La Liga holders travel to Stamford Bridge for a mouthwatering clash with the reigning Club World Cup kings.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By absorbing the frenzied reverence, the Saja Boys can break through the Honmoon, a fictional barrier that protects humans from the demon world, which would unleash chaos.—
Yvonne Kim,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
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These picks are designed to make getting around smoother, way more efficient, and to help frequent fliers avoid travel chaos (think tangled necklaces, dead phone batteries, and neck strains).—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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