as in public
freely available for use or participation by all
the public library has a free-for-all lending policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of free-for-all
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Far from an unregulated free-for-all, Florida vacation rentals follow rigorous safety, tax and operational standards — often exceeding those required of traditional hotels.
—Shaun McCorry, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025
All of these eclectic folks contribute to the rowdy, free-for-all atmosphere of a movie that’s not necessarily great, but earnestly plays its part in trying to make New York City great again.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Noun
Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Rather than replace the free-for-all with a streamlined review process, restaurants seeking approval for new sheds hit delay after delay, bureaucratic obstacle after bureaucratic obstacle.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
Far from an unregulated free-for-all, Florida vacation rentals follow rigorous safety, tax and operational standards — often exceeding those required of traditional hotels.
—Shaun McCorry, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2025
All of these eclectic folks contribute to the rowdy, free-for-all atmosphere of a movie that’s not necessarily great, but earnestly plays its part in trying to make New York City great again.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free-for-all
Recent Examples of Synonyms for free-for-all
Adjective
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On the Mexican government’s public channels and official social media platforms.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Unfortunately, this includes some public key security protocols like RSA cryptography, which, among other things, is used to secure private conversations, financial transactions and government communications systems.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Officials didn’t provide information about what might have sparked the brawl.—
Brooke Baitinger,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Geopolitical tensions have leaked into competitive sports as of late, with brawls and anti-Donald Trump chants coloring U.S.-Canadian hockey games.—
Story Hinckley,
Christian Science Monitor,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Instead, voters themselves are jumbles of competing and sometimes contradictory interests.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 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
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Some Forever 21 stores remain open for in-person shopping and online orders were still being filled, as of Monday, April 14.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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Not letting that fester, but being open and communicating about that and just being vulnerable and being able to express your feelings.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Several studies have found that polyphenols, especially tannins, can also play havoc with your iron supplement.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
18 Mar. 2025
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The pandemic though wrought havoc on student achievement, with many learning gaps remaining nearly five years after schools first closed.—
Cory Turner,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Nuggets arrived at another crossroads last offseason when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope became an unrestricted free agent.—
Bryan Toporek,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Listen to this article The new NFL year officially began March 12, and the negotiating window for unrestricted free agents opened March 10.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This square can spark clashes between the need for stability (Taurus) and the desire for bold self-expression (Leo).—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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With nearly 8 million Venezuelans displaced—the second-largest migration globally and the largest ever within South America—the film captures rising tensions, cultural clashes, and radicalization in Chile’s border communities.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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By The New York Times In the chaos, thousands of other gunmen arrived with a different agenda — targeting Alawites in a rampage of sectarian killings.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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From bold predictions about who's walking out with championship gold to sit-downs with WWE superstars on the verge of history, this preshow is serving as your all-access pass into the chaos, glory, and drama that makes WrestleMania the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Free-for-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/free-for-all. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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