free-for-all

[ free-fer-awl ]

/ ˈfri fərˌɔl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR free-for-all ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a fight, argument, contest, etc., open to everyone and usually without rules.

any competition or contested situation that is disordered, impulsive, or out of control: a free-for-all at the buffet table.

Informal. any enterprise or field of endeavor in which various companies, countries, participants, etc., compete without restriction: a price-cutting free-for-all among local stores.

adjective

open to everyone.

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Words related to free-for-all

melee, brouhaha, riot, fracas, brawl, affray, ruction, battle, broil, fray, row, knock-down-drag-out

Words nearby free-for-all

free-cutting, free-fall, free-fire zone, free-floating, free-floating anxiety, free-for-all, free-form, free-handed, free-hearted, free-living, free-machining

Origin of free-for-all

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85

SYNONYMS FOR free-for-all

1 brawl, fracas, scrap, melee, donnybrook.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR free-for-all ON THESAURUS.COM

Examples from the Web for free-for-all

What started as a website to promote his run for presidency in hours became a free-for-all for negative commentary.
Oops! Putin Creates an Online Forum for Detractors—Then Censors It|Anna Nemtsova|January 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
This word means conference but it actually develops into a free-for-all riotous protestation by the natives involved.
An African Adventure|Isaac F. Marcosson
There will be no order or formality, but a jolly, free-for-all.
The Camp-life of the Third Regiment|Robert T. Kerlin
The Virginia reel was a marvel of supple, exaggerated grace and the quadrille looked like a free-for-all for unbroken colts.
Hopalong Cassidy's Rustler Round-Up|Clarence Edward Mulford

The saying is that a quart of hard cider would start a free-for-all fight in heaven.
Anderson Crow, Detective|George Barr McCutcheon
Teddy was never any good in a free-for-all; he always took Marys side.
Beginners Luck|Emily Hahn

British Dictionary definitions for free-for-all

free-for-all

noun

informal a disorganized brawl or argument, usually involving all those present

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012