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
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Recent Examples of free-for-all
Ian Parkes, New York Times, 22 May 2025
But with Quirk-Silva prevented from running again in 2026 due to term limits, the race has become a free-for-all, especially on the Democratic side, where candidates are expected to spend heavily to stand out in what’s likely to become a crowded primary.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 May 2025
The federal government stepped into this free-for-all to regulate it, says Edward Berkowitz, emeritus professor of history at George Washington University.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 May 2025
Stronger Plants Will Muscle Out Weaker Plants In a free-for-all chaos garden, only the strongest plants will survive.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
Expectations Are High: The year could turn into a free-for-all, with many teams and drivers expected to challenge for the titles.
—Ian Parkes, New York Times, 22 May 2025
But with Quirk-Silva prevented from running again in 2026 due to term limits, the race has become a free-for-all, especially on the Democratic side, where candidates are expected to spend heavily to stand out in what’s likely to become a crowded primary.
—Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 May 2025
The federal government stepped into this free-for-all to regulate it, says Edward Berkowitz, emeritus professor of history at George Washington University.
—Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 13 May 2025
Stronger Plants Will Muscle Out Weaker Plants In a free-for-all chaos garden, only the strongest plants will survive.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
-
Most of these protests are taking place in parks or other public areas.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2025
-
However, public trust in that body and the wider judiciary is scant following a slew of high-profile graft scandals coupled with a conspicuous lack of prosecutions or accountability.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The brawl marked the end of Atila and the pair’s friendship, with Weber leaving Small — and later reconnecting with Joel, to whom she was married from 1973-1982 — and the singer spiraling into a dark period of drink and depression.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
6 June 2025
-
The overwhelming majority of Republicans stand behind President Donald Trump over Elon Musk, according to new polling, which comes as the public feud between the two billionaires erupted into an all-out brawl.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
6 June 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
-
Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
-
Encourage open communication to manage expectations.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
The adventurer turns out to be a wild champion of havoc who alienates friends and demolishes any social scene.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
-
Suddenly, Nicky, who Chloe has erased from her life, is back in the picture and causing havoc as the police investigate the murder and zero in on Ethan, who had tensions with his father.—
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
After one year with the New York Knicks, veteran journeyman Landry Shamet is once again an unrestricted free agent.—
Mat Issa,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
The Heat has until June 29 to decide on that team option, with Johnson becoming an unrestricted free agent if Miami chooses to bypass the option.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Boys lacrosse In a wild Div. 4 round of 16 clash, host Littleton received a goal from Zach Milner with five seconds remaining to list the Tigers to a thrilling 13-12 victory over host Lynnfield.—
Brian Roach,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
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This clash has had tangible repercussions: Tesla’s stock experienced a significant drop, erasing over $150 billion in market value, while Trump Media saw a decline of approximately $500 million.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, allegedly planned to detonate a chlorine bomb to create chaos and panic before shooting fleeing patrons exiting a movie theater, the FBI Portland Field Office said in a statement on Thursday.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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Ultimately, chaos seems to be the only certainty should Abbas shuffle off his mortal coil.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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