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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over a century of duct-tape efforts to address traffic congestion had resulted in stoplight bottlenecks in some areas and a vehicular free-for-all in others. Lindsay Phillips, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025 The free-for-all results in a neighborhood with a more disordered, organic layout than elsewhere in town. Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025 This ensemble dramedy follows a group of couples (among them, Perry, Janet Jackson, and Jill Scott) who adjourn to a country estate for what’s supposed to be a carefree weekend but instead devolves into a truth-telling free-for-all. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025 Amenities: Co-working space, restaurant, gym, pool Bonus Tip: Keep an eye on the event calendar for free-for-all happenings, from DJ sets to workshops and quiz nights. Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free-for-all. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!