as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another
a trade-off in which a company got a celebrity spokesperson and a fading star got some much-needed cash
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Recent Examples of trade-off
One potentially more significant trade-off is the proprietary nature of Bambu’s ecosystem.
—
PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
There is no mutual trade-off here, there is no synergy whatsoever.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Nishimura’s team described the process as a biological trade-off between aging and cancer — but that doesn't mean gray hair prevents cancer.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Anyone who prefers unfiltered photos, transparent trade-offs, and surgeon involvement over highlight reels.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trade-off
PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
There is no mutual trade-off here, there is no synergy whatsoever.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Nishimura’s team described the process as a biological trade-off between aging and cancer — but that doesn't mean gray hair prevents cancer.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Anyone who prefers unfiltered photos, transparent trade-offs, and surgeon involvement over highlight reels.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trade-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade-off
exchange
Noun
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The Chiefs offered the Jets a fourth-round pick in exchange for Hall, according to New York insider Connor Hughes of SNY.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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In exchange for Lee burying the Indian Head Hills land-deal story — which, on paper, looked like a candidate taking a bribe from Trip and the Nazis — Donald agrees to give up the land.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trade-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade-off. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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