1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
a give-and-take about what we should do Saturday night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in negotiation
the act or practice of each side giving up something in order to reach an agreement
negotiating the terms of the deal will require some give-and-take on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in banter
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
enjoyed the flirty give-and-take between the two romantic lead characters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of give-and-take
Without the organic give-and-take of a real therapeutic exchange, patients lose the sense that someone is not merely interpreting your words but genuinely trying to understand you.
—
Brianna Hardcastle, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
For any deal to be signed into law, however, will require a give-and-take that Democrats might find difficult to swallow.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
His offensive approach, though, has been a give-and-take.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
After going to work for Edgar, the popular, two-term chief executive from 1991 to 1999 who died in September, Egler didn’t shy away from engaging in give-and-take with reporters.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give-and-take
Brianna Hardcastle, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
For any deal to be signed into law, however, will require a give-and-take that Democrats might find difficult to swallow.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
His offensive approach, though, has been a give-and-take.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
After going to work for Edgar, the popular, two-term chief executive from 1991 to 1999 who died in September, Egler didn’t shy away from engaging in give-and-take with reporters.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give-and-take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give-and-take
Noun
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Psychological readiness is an important factor in safe return to play and reinjury risk, making gradual exposure through both imagery and real-world practice, along with open discussion and validation of fear, essential parts of recovery.—
Ian McMahan,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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And that doesn’t even include Heat conversations involving Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (Miami will try again this summer) and Ja Morant (the Heat decided against pursuing after an initial discussion with Memphis in January).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Still, neither party is projected to form an outright majority, setting the stage for coalition negotiations involving smaller left- and right-wing factions.—
Jan Bratanic Bloomberg,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
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An agreement among the basin’s seven states over how to divide its water expired at the end of last year, and negotiations to develop a new water plan fell apart last month.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Both programs are highly educational amid the humor and banter.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2026
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Our banter was fun, constant and warm.—
Dawn Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That is the number of votes required to invoke cloture, end debate, break a filibuster, and allow the bill in question to proceed to a final vote on the floor.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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At the same time – and unprecedentedly in Lebanon since the 1980s — open public debate has persisted concerning the possibility of reaching a normalization agreement with Israel.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Neither Republican senators, who made the latest offer, nor Democrats, who are demanding more changes in immigration enforcement, appeared closer to a compromise.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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The real takeaway Solo travel strips away the compromises that come with group planning.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
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The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Anand arrived in Turkey for consultations on the situation in the region as the war rages on.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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The Marietta man was critically wounded when, officials said, Lawrence Charles Michels, 51, of Jasper, opened fire during a walk-in mental health consultation inside the facility.—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Later, O’Brien touted a fake company tasked with reformatting movies for smaller and smaller handheld devices, but the joke missed the mark.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
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What the joke is, though, is harder to pin down.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Give-and-take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give-and-take. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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