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
Relevance
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
And so it’s been just a back-and-forth process, trying to be here, the present moment, worrying about home and headlines.
—
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Uncertainty about what will happen in the war has led to manic back-and-forth swings in the oil and stock markets since the war began nearly three weeks ago.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The first half was a competitive back-and-forth affair that included 19 lead changes and 10 ties before the Hornets entered halftime with a narrow 59-57 lead.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
My kids come first, and so it’s been like, just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, worrying about home and headlines.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Uncertainty about what will happen in the war has led to manic back-and-forth swings in the oil and stock markets since the war began nearly three weeks ago.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
The first half was a competitive back-and-forth affair that included 19 lead changes and 10 ties before the Hornets entered halftime with a narrow 59-57 lead.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
My kids come first, and so it’s been like, just a back-and-forth process trying to be here in the present moment, worrying about home and headlines.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
-
Missile exchanges have jarred with the spirit of the holidays underway across the region.—
Siham Shamalakh,
Washington Post,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Eighteen months later, she was released in a prisoner of war (POW) exchange.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Laura Aull 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.—
Laura Aull,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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Alongside her team, this pioneering expert consults with the FBI to solve the most baffling and elusive cases.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
From traditional staples like ginseng to barrier-loving ceramides and buzzy newcomers like PDRN, the lineup below captures exactly why Korean skin care continues to shape the global beauty conversation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
22 Mar. 2026
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Evidently, the conversation landed.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Moreover, such an action risks preventing favorable conditions for a historic dialogue between the governments of the two countries, which are both united by a desire to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen Lebanon’s state capacities.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
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For those of us who prefer our movie stars to recite lines of dialogue rather than left-wing talking points, the 1972 Academy Awards represented something of a high point.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Still, Trump’s key Middle East envoys are reportedly laying groundwork for potential peace talks, with messages passed between Washington and Tehran via intermediaries.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
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Choose plain words to move talks forward.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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