free-for-all
No-rules fight
A free-for-all is a disorderly situation where everyone acts without rules or restraint.
Originally describing fights with no restrictions on participants or tactics, the term now applies to any chaotic competition or argument: The debate devolved into a free-for-all.
As an adjective, it describes open, unregulated access: a free-for-all buffet.
Disordered group skirmish
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- anarchyDisorder from absent authority
havoc · turmoil · disorder · frenzy · riot · commotion · ruckus · uproar
Physical or verbal conflict
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- fracasNoisy disorderly fight
- donnybrookRowdy public brawl
- tussleBrief physical struggle
skirmish · altercation · clash · rumble · dust-up · punch-up · fisticuffs · affray
Not closed
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- raceCompetition of speed
- contestOrganized competitive event
- matchGame between opponents
showdown · scramble · derby · battle-royale · elimination · qualifier · wild-card · unrestricted
Having no limitations
- uncheckedNot controlled or limited
- uncontrolledLacking any regulation
- unbridledWithout any restraint
- uninhibitedFree from self-censorship
unfettered · unconstrained · unregulated · lawless · wild · chaotic · undisciplined · unpoliced
melee
Disordered group skirmish
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
anarchy · havoc · turmoil · disorder · frenzy · riot · commotion · ruckus · uproar · confusion
fight
Physical or verbal conflict
- scuffleBrief disorderly struggle
- fracasNoisy disorderly fight
- donnybrookRowdy public brawl
tussle · skirmish · altercation · clash · rumble · dust-up · punch-up · fisticuffs · affray · scrimmage
open
Not closed
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- raceCompetition of speed
- contestOrganized competitive event
match · showdown · scramble · derby · battle-royale · elimination · qualifier · wild-card · unrestricted · no-holds-barred
unrestricted
Having no limitations
- uncheckedNot controlled or limited
- uncontrolledLacking any regulation
- unbridledWithout any restraint
uninhibited · unfettered · unconstrained · unregulated · lawless · wild · chaotic · undisciplined · unpoliced · ungoverned
- chaosmayhem, chaotic, pandemonium, bedlam, turmoil
- chaos idiomsall hell breaks loose, pandemonium, madhouse, circus, bedlam
- commotioncommotion, clamor, brouhaha, bedlam, hullabaloo
- fightsfight, brawl, scuffle, scrap, tussle
- game modeseasy mode, ranked match, deathmatch, hard mode, practice match
- gaming modesmultiplayer, co-op, versus, team deathmatch, ranked mode
free-for-allorder
Methodical arrangement or request
orderliness · organization · system · structure · discipline
free-for-allrestricted
Limited in scope
exclusive · off-limits · closed · private · limited