1
as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another
after the usual back-and-forth of official gifts, the two leaders entered into a serious discussion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
the others listened with relish to the back-and-forth between the two noted professors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of back-and-forth
The vote in favor of a new map in Virginia brought the overall mid-decade redistricting back-and-forth to a draw — if not a slight advantage for the Democrats.
—
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Thursday’s ruling is a win for Doral resident Pablo Langesfeld, who has been in a back-and-forth with Oscar Health for months over the potentially lifesaving medication.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
There could be lengthy back-and-forth exchanges of materials between schools and federal regulators; there could be meetings and hearings, and more meetings and hearings.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The play is a different animal, having to make such a back-and-forth sound convincing when conducted as a random conversation in a living room or over the phone.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Thursday’s ruling is a win for Doral resident Pablo Langesfeld, who has been in a back-and-forth with Oscar Health for months over the potentially lifesaving medication.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
There could be lengthy back-and-forth exchanges of materials between schools and federal regulators; there could be meetings and hearings, and more meetings and hearings.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The play is a different animal, having to make such a back-and-forth sound convincing when conducted as a random conversation in a living room or over the phone.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
-
Romantic Venus sextiles dreamy Neptune, softening conversations and opening space for empathy, imagination, and meaningful exchange.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sullivan said the discussion for drafting a quarterback came up several times among their 13 picks from Thursday through Saturday, but the other option always won out in every instance.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Failing to win promotion in 2023-24, with such a significant wage budget, was a major disappointment for Leeds and Farke survived serious discussions at the top of the club about his potential sacking.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That debate intensified this March, when city officials outlined multiple options for restructuring the city’s approach to homelessness, including maintaining LAHSA with reforms, shifting responsibilities to the county, or bringing more programs in-house.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Neither Thurmond nor Villaraigosa qualified for the latest debate because of their low polling numbers.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His maneuver was made without consultation with the pilots in the other jet, resulting in the collision, the report added.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Vatican’s 2023 declaration allowing an informal blessing, promulgated with virtually no consultation outside the Vatican, sharply divided the church, with African bishops delivering a continent-wide dissent and refusing to implement it.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mavra Javed does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Mavra Javed,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
-
And immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia, area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consults per day.—
Sarah Raza,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our conversation has been edited and condensed.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Quick-thinking in your 1st House of Identity, squares expansive Jupiter in your 4th House of Home, pushing conversations around personal plans and family expectations.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Garland’s dialogue, as evidenced in movies like Annihilation and Men, can be both elliptical and brutally straightforward.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The music and sound are pushed up right against the dialogue, and Lange, in particular, threaded the sound of a heart monitor to guide us through the wormhole that is the surgery.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Investors had cheered the talks and the prospect of change at a fiercely independent company that had relied on decades-old relationships.—
Edwin Chan,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There was talk that the Falcons might be willing to trade Pitts for draft picks at some point during the weekend.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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