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 back-and-forth sparked debate on social media, with Sacramento State supporters railing against the CBS Sports report and questioning the credibility of Collegiate Consulting, while the value of the firm’s projections remained up for debate.
—
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Neither team led by more than six in a back-and-forth contest that included 19 lead changes.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The hacker changed strategies, stopping the back-and-forth conversation and instead providing the AI tool with a detailed playbook on how to proceed.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Minaj has not yet publicly weighed in on the Cyabra report, but Cardi and Breusewitz's back-and-forth raged on after the initial spat.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Neither team led by more than six in a back-and-forth contest that included 19 lead changes.
—Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The hacker changed strategies, stopping the back-and-forth conversation and instead providing the AI tool with a detailed playbook on how to proceed.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Minaj has not yet publicly weighed in on the Cyabra report, but Cardi and Breusewitz's back-and-forth raged on after the initial spat.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
-
Global exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange are actively positioning to attract high-growth African listings.—
Maurizio Caio,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Even the very premise of the show Portobello reflects the transactional, exchange-and-mart nature of Italy’s legal system at the time, which now seems as theatrical and performative as its World Cup soccer team.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Doing so will put you in a better place for any upcoming or ongoing tough discussions with the people who matter most to you.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Iran’s nuclear program has been at the center of the discussions.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
During last year’s budget debates, Chicago’s then-chief financial officer, Jill Jaworski, provided aldermen with a chart projecting that these bonds would be retired in 2031 and total interest on them would amount to $58 million.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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Next week, the Supreme Court will consider whether the gun ban for drug users is unconstitutionally broad in a high-stakes case at the center of growing debate over whether marijuana deserves a carve-out in the law.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Developed in close consultation with geriatricians, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies, PROSPR is designed to create the foundation for a true longevity sector by enabling, in a clinical trial lasting just three years, the first generation of drugs targeting aging.—
Andrew S. Brack,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The physician and surgeon provides medical care to inmates at the California Health Care Facility, including exams, treatment and consultations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Alongside her team, this pioneering expert consults with the FBI to solve the most baffling and elusive cases.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thoughtful conversation softens defensiveness and grows respect.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.—
Alexandra Koch , Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unfortunately, writer-director John Patton Ford has little feel for the American class system, no discernible talent for writing good dialogue, and minimal competency with directing actors.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
World leaders call for restraint Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to seek dialogue with each other and resolve their conflict peacefully.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the past, the US tried to prevent a wider conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border, helping to set up the first direct talks between the two countries’ civilian officials late last year.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But several rounds of peace talks hosted by Turkey in November failed to produce a lasting agreement, and the two sides have occasionally traded fire since then.—
ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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