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
John Thys | Afp | Getty Images Gripped by corporate earnings season and U.S. President Donald Trump's back-and-forth tariff policy, investors largely shrugged off a historic climate ruling from the world's top court.
—
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
The news follows a contentious back-and-forth between California Democrats and the president over redistricting.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
What followed was a weekslong back-and-forth between Aetna and the hospital, University Hospital in Ann Arbor — including phone calls, bureaucratic delays and miscommunication, according to a Michigan Medicine spokesperson, an Aetna spokesperson and hospital case notes reviewed by NBC News.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
The 2024 Summer Olympic gold medalist continued to jaw back-and-forth with Bednarek, who hovered nearby to continue their argument.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2025
The news follows a contentious back-and-forth between California Democrats and the president over redistricting.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
What followed was a weekslong back-and-forth between Aetna and the hospital, University Hospital in Ann Arbor — including phone calls, bureaucratic delays and miscommunication, according to a Michigan Medicine spokesperson, an Aetna spokesperson and hospital case notes reviewed by NBC News.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
The 2024 Summer Olympic gold medalist continued to jaw back-and-forth with Bednarek, who hovered nearby to continue their argument.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
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On Sunday, it was reported that the Eagles and the Vikings have agreed to a deal, which sends the quarterback Sam Howell to the Eagles in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2026 and a seventh-round pick in 2027.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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With the Trump administration granting Nvidia export licenses for China in exchange for 15% of revenue, the company should eventually start to resume booking revenue from that sizable market.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Peter Aiken/Getty Images Footage of the incident has since gone viral and circulated online, drawing widespread attention and sparking discussion among fans and analysts around the team and its players.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
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The project marks Smollett’s first on-screen discussion of the incident since his 2019 Good Morning America interview with Robin Roberts.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Denzel Washington has his own take on the cancel culture debate.—
Giana Levy,
Variety,
16 Aug. 2025
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The debate also drew contrasts between American and European dining.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During its latest fundraising effort, in which new investors don’t participate, the company had discussed a $500 billion valuation, before lowering it after consultation with backers, people familiar with the matter said.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
20 Aug. 2025
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Nixon’s Cambodian bombing campaign began in 1969, without any consultation with Congress.—
Chris Lehmann,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The full-service design firm tackles both residential and commercial projects, consults on new builds, and helps clients renovate dream kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
19 Mar. 2025
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Uncertain how to proceed, Dalton consults several animal experts, who tell her unequivocally that hares, unlike rabbits, cannot be domesticated.—
Heller McAlpin,
The Christian Science Monitor,
3 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This priceless reaction demonstrated how cats recognize and understand their owner's voice when the conversation is directed to them.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
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Existing anger or frustration — for example, during a small confrontation — will only be exacerbated if a partner adds further emotional charge to the conversation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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During the talks, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stronger security guarantees for Ukraine.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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European defense stocks fell Tuesday after the US pushed for talks between Ukraine and Russia, but analysts insisted any deal would drive the continent to increase defense spending regardless.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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