1
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
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2
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
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Recent Examples of back-and-forths
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
Republicans and Democrats engaged in many back-and-forths during the hearing on Wednesday that began in the morning and is expected to last into the evening.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Our back-and-forths with a chatbot, in turn, exteriorize our private, internal dialogues, which some consider constitutive of thought itself.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
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
Republicans and Democrats engaged in many back-and-forths during the hearing on Wednesday that began in the morning and is expected to last into the evening.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Our back-and-forths with a chatbot, in turn, exteriorize our private, internal dialogues, which some consider constitutive of thought itself.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forths
Noun
-
Their rhetoric was dark, warning of disaster for millions of people and families who might be forced to pay more for their own health care unless the GOP agreed to extend subsidies for those who purchased coverage on state exchanges.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Shift gears to calm energetic exchanges.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In discussions of people like Michael Jackson, some defenders insist on distinguishing between the artist and the art, but a bio-pic is necessarily about both.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Frankly, the Europeans have had a lot of discussions, but not delivered an actual capability.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are important and legitimate debates to be had about the role of AI in warfare; from autonomy and targeting to surveillance and escalation.—
Robert F. Dees,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Congress should refuse, and the reason has nothing to do with traditional debates about surveillance.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The amenities come from bilingual surveys, consultations with Indigenous leaders (who helped inspire the sunroom), and observations of how children interact with libraries and parks, Mayo-Peaseley said, among others.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Before her four in-person consultations, Charlene took virtual meetings with about 12 clinics.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With the Moon in your sign linking to Jupiter in your communication zone, conversations feel smoother and more supportive.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Start by having one of these conversations with your partner.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mediators are pushing for a compromise on three main sticking points that derailed direct talks last weekend — Iran’s nuclear program, the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for wartime damages, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Iran has also acknowledged indirect talks.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many of the tribes TxDOT consults are in southwest-central and southeast Oklahoma, an acknowledgment of their Texas roots.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Gingrich 360 consults with various companies in the health care industry that would be affected by health care transparency reforms.—
Bobby Jindal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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