BACK-AND-FORTHS Synonyms: 62 Similar Words

back-and-forths

noun

plural of back-and-forth

as in exchanges

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

as in discussions

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of back-and-forths There were messy confirmation fights over controversial Cabinet picks, the era of DOGE and back-and-forths over trade policy. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Multiple back-and-forths over the course of several weeks led to the major match on Monday – and the two stars on the women’s roster delivered. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 In the end, these back-and-forths between the state and the family’s lawyers are distractions from the grief of two parents who feel like they’ve been failed by the system. — Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026 With each witness, Guillard — in her role as her own attorney — challenged their testimony in sometimes testy back-and-forths that had to be refereed by the judge and court staff. — Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026 Kelce and Nicole, 34, broke up multiple times throughout their five years together, and made several public comments and back-and-forths about each other on social media and in interviews over the years. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026 Given the awkward back-and-forths seen thus far and, even more so, Robinson’s history playing poor communicators, the description is hard to believe. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025 The rapper and boxer have had social media back-and-forths with Remy on several occasions due to the situation. — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025 But unlike some of the classic back-and-forths of the past Probst would have during challenges with folks like Penner and Parvati Shallow, Survivor 49 will also air interactions that take place on both sides of the contests. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forths

Noun

Hot wallets maintain internet connectivity, allowing cryptocurrency exchanges to process withdrawals and other transactions quickly.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Some affected customers have received immediate exchanges at Apple Stores.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of exchanges

Noun

Deadline hears that the BBC has held tentative discussions about whether Sounds could be folded in with iPlayer to create a single streaming service for video and audio, not unlike Netflix and YouTube.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026
Sotheby’s announced Thursday that the works, recently designated French national treasures, had been withdrawn following discussions between the Schlumberger family and the city of Aix-en-Provence, Cézanne’s hometown.

— Daniel Cassady for ARTnews, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of discussions

Noun

There's also plenty of debates and discussions, and that's what leads us here today.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Her worldwide museum experience had taught her the foibles of museums and academia, but her sense of humor and common sense settled some sticky situations while moving (the museum) as a center for socially transformative debates.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

Experts who are part of consultations expect the new policy to lay down clear and consistent rules, which will also help the industry overcome challenges around land acquisition and simplify a fragmented approval process.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
While Orbán’s government had failed to secure such a change, Ukraine’s parliament last week expanded minority-language education rights alongside Ukrainian following weeks of bilateral consultations.

— Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of consultations

Noun

Orlando was always within reach, sharing recipes and starting conversations about food systems.

— Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Save suspicious messages, account statements, confirmation numbers and notes from conversations with institutions.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of conversations

Noun

Dinorah Figuera, who has been leading the opposition bloc’s negotiations with the government, said Machado’s return was a result of Maduro’s ouster and the ongoing reconciliation talks.

— Michael Rios, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Following news that SpaceX is in talks to access as many as 80,000 cell sites to grab market share from the Big Three telecoms, some analysts on Wall Street are making a key distinction that may shed light on SpaceX's strategy.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of talks

Noun

Expect more brands to pair products with questionnaires, telehealth consults or at-home test kits.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Complimentary fitness classes, one-on-one personal training, nutrition consults, Pilates, breathing classes, and flow yoga are among many other options.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of consults

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forth

back-and-forths

back away

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Style

“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of back-and-forths

noun

Example Sentences

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