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View synonyms for free-for-all

free-for-all

[ free-fer-awl ]

noun

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

    Synonyms: donnybrook, melee, scrap, fracas, brawl

  2. any competition or contested situation that is disordered, impulsive, or out of control:

    a free-for-all at the buffet table.

  3. 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

  1. open to everyone.

free-for-all

noun

  1. 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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of free-for-all1

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85
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Example Sentences

They were surely trying to locate as many rightful owners as possible before the media free-for-all, but news got out.

What started as a website to promote his run for presidency in hours became a free-for-all for negative commentary.

The Internet has emerged as a pharmaceutical free-for-all in recent years.

It was nearly eleven o'clock when the free-for-all running race was announced.

The method pursued was to read a chapter, and follow with a free-for-all exposition of it.

The most exciting feature of this weekly frivolity consisted of a free-for-all exercise in mental arithmetic.

I wondered about Marian; somehow I still don't like seeing a woman tangled up in a free-for-all.

The Virginia reel was a marvel of supple, exaggerated grace and the quadrille looked like a free-for-all for unbroken colts.

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