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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.

Minister for Veterans and People, Louise Sandher-Jones, said the survey results were "wholly unacceptable", describing it as a "no holds barred baseline, to fully confront and address the root causes of this issue".

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

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

From Salon • Nov. 20, 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

“Jalen’s a curious guy, he asks questions, he’s awesome. Unbelievable conversations. We would talk about everything — politics, relationships, you name it. It was like no holds barred, just open, honest conversations.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 21, 2022

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

From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner