Definitions

no holds barred

ADJECTIVE

absolute

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complete full infinite outright pure sheer simple unadulterated unconditional unlimited unqualified utter

STRONG

entire free total unabridged

WEAK

consummate downright flat out no catch no fine print no ifs ands or buts no joke no strings attached plenary straight out supreme thorough unrestricted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bounded conditional incomplete indefinite limited needy qualified uncertain unfinished

STRONG

abridged part partial

WEAK

accountable circumscribed complaisant compliant dependent flawed imperfect restricted submissive tractable yielding

ADJECTIVE

boundless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

immeasurable immense incalculable inexhaustible infinite limitless tremendous unending unlimited untold vast

WEAK

great illimitable indefinite measureless no catch no end of no end to no strings no strings attached unbounded unconfined wide open

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bounded calculable countable ending finite limited little measurable small tiny

WEAK

restricted

ADJECTIVE

categorical

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolute clear-cut definite definitive emphatic forthright unambiguous unequivocal

WEAK

all out certain direct downright express flat out no strings attached positive specific straight out sure ultimate unmitigated unqualified unreserved

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous equivocal indefinite indistinct inexact uncertain vague

WEAK

conditional implied qualified questionable tentative uncategorical

ADJECTIVE

limitless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bottomless boundless endless immeasurable immense incomprehensible inexhaustible unending unfathomable unlimited vast

WEAK

countless illimitable indefinite innumerable measureless no end of no end to no strings numberless unbounded uncalculable undefined untold wide-open

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bounded comprehensible ending fathomable finite limited little measurable restricted small

WEAK

calculable exhaustible measureable

ADJECTIVE

unconditional

Synonyms

STRONGEST

decisive definite explicit full genuine outright thorough unequivocal unlimited unqualified unrestricted

WEAK

actual all out assured categorical certain clear complete determinate downright entire final flat out indubitable no catch no fine print no ifs ands or buts no kicker no strings open out-and-out plenary positive straight out thoroughgoing unconstrained unmistakable unmitigated unquestionable unreserved utter whole wide

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous conditional equivocal incomplete indefinite obscure uncertain vague

WEAK

limited qualified unfinished

ADJECTIVE

unconditioned

Synonyms

WEAK

absolute actual all out assured categorical certain clear complete decisive definite determinate downright entire explicit final flat out full genuine indubitable no catch no fine print no ifs ands or buts no kicker no strings open out-and-out outright plenary positive straight out thorough thoroughgoing unconstrained unequivocal unlimited unmistakable unmitigated unqualified unquestionable unreserved unrestricted utter whole wide

ADJECTIVE

unequivocal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absolute apparent categorical clear-cut decisive explicit indisputable obvious straightforward unambiguous undeniable unmistakable

STRONG

univocal

WEAK

certain clear decided direct distinct downright evident flat out incontestable incontrovertible indubitable manifest no catch no fine print no ifs ands or buts no strings attached open and shut palpable patent plain straight straight out uncontestable undisputable unquestionable

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ambiguous conditional disputable doubtful dubious equivocal indefinite obscure questionable uncertain unclear unsure vague

WEAK

obscured

ADJECTIVE

uninhibited

Synonyms

STRONGEST

candid relaxed spontaneous unbridled unrestrained unrestricted

WEAK

audacious cut loose expansive fancy-free footloose frank free hanging out informal instinctive liberated natural off the cuff open unchecked unconstrained uncontrolled uncurbed ungoverned unhampered unrepressed unreserved unself-conscious unsuppressed

Antonyms

WEAK

careful inhibited modest shy

ADVERB

decidedly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clearly determinedly distinctly downright positively really terribly unmistakably

STRONG

emphatically

WEAK

absolutely by all means decisively flat out for a fact in spades no catch no ifs ands or buts no mistake no strings attached of course powerful right straight out strongly sure surely terrifically unequivocally

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully

ADVERB

fiercely

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angrily boldly brutally ferociously forcefully frantically furiously madly mightily passionately savagely severely vehemently viciously wildly

WEAK

awfully forcibly frenziedly frighteningly hard horribly impetuously in a frenzy irresistibly like cats and dogs maleficiently malevolently malignly monstrous riotously roughly stormily tempestuously terribly threateningly tigerishly tooth and nail turbulently uncontrollably venomously with bared teeth

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmly gently

WEAK

kindly mildly quietly tamely

ADVERB

positively

Synonyms

STRONGEST

certainly easily emphatically firmly undoubtedly

WEAK

amen assuredly categorically doubtless doubtlessly flat flat out for a fact indubitably no catch no ifs ands or buts no kicker no strings attached on the money on the nose really truly right on sure surely the ticket to a tee undeniably unequivocally unmistakably unquestionably with certainty without qualification

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully questionably

ADVERB

straight

Synonyms

WEAK

candidly frankly in plain English no punches point-blank

Antonyms

WEAK

dishonestly

NOUN

carte blanche

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blank check free rein latitude power of attorney

WEAK

authority franchise free hand freedom full authority full power grant leeway license permission prerogative sanction say say-so unconditional authority unconditional right unrestricted authority warrant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yes, they're all just letting their freak flags fly, no holds barred.

From Salon • Nov. 20, 2023

Quite apart from letter-perfect memorization of reams of dialogue, her comedic timing was innate, the planning meticulous and the performance no holds barred.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2023

"On any given day, I might be scared of Arnold, but when I get to play Barry, it’s no holds barred, and I get to hold him accountable," said Carter.

From Reuters • May 23, 2023

She is not yet, despite our own invitation and no doubt many others, sitting down for live interviews with no holds barred.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2023

Spoade was the world’s champion sitter-around, no holds barred and gouging discretionary.

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner

no holds barred

Example Sentences

Related Words