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 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 LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have all had public back-and-forths with Smith over the years. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 May 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forths

Noun

One of the sharpest exchanges came during a dispute over Flock Safety surveillance cameras.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
The court documents also include screenshots of text message exchanges between Berry and Martinez and an email from their son’s school about his disruptive behavior days after the alleged incident.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of exchanges

Noun

However, during the discussions, Coral Gables Finance Director Diana Gomez pinpointed some possible projects the city could decrease funding for in order to accommodate the Underline funding.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2026
In 2024, Projeto Paradiso was also one of the driving forces behind a new partnership with the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), which led to the creation of HBF+Brazil following initial discussions at Encontro de Ideias.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of discussions

Noun

The Sox’s pitching plans are a daily mystery, and worries over Grant Taylor’s right arm falling off have become nightly debates in South Side bars.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
The 2000 contest was the last Texas Senate race with no general election debates.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

Netanyahu convened security consultations over the incident and cleared the remainder of his schedule to manage the crisis, according to Reuters.

— Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine are also available, such as herbal medicine consultations and a pain management program.

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

Definition of consultations

Noun

Meta also says Muse conversations and data inside its virtual machine do not get shared with Meta's advertising systems.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Mercury in Scorpio squares Mars in Leo, making opinions stronger, reactions quicker, and certain conversations easier to escalate than intended.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of conversations

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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of back-and-forths

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes