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
Relevance
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
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
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
-
The House Oversight Committee’s first hearing on the Minnesota fraud scandal was complete with lawmakers pointing fingers and exchanging barbs in heated exchanges.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Flirty texts, meaningful exchanges and chance encounters spark something unexpected, especially through everyday moments like errands, commutes or late-night chats that start casually and end with momentum.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to two people familiar with the discussions, earlier this year, Döpfner talked to Bari Weiss about buying her opinion site, The Free Press.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Katz, Mamdani’s campaign manager, said there were private discussions between the two.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Minneapolis is once again the focus of debates about violence involving law enforcement after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, in her car.—
Ben Jones,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mindful debates can nourish open communication.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Alzugaray added that Cuba’s government should be in the midst of intense conversations and consultations with its allies, like China and Russia.—
Orlando Matos,
NBC news,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center’s nutrition consultations add to a lineup that leans toward learning and immersion.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The broadcast, known for its signature segments The Dish and Saturday Sessions, offers insightful conversations with world-class artists, authors, chefs and musicians.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Being polite about the topic at hand will help your conversations stay productive.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Recent talks between the Dutch and Chinese governments show signs of resolving the crisis.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
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Deepak Chopra Wellness guru, author The 79-year-old recently launched a wellness platform offering various meditations, live digital sessions with him and a Deepak Chopra AI chatbot drawing from his decades of writing and talks that users can interact with directly.—
Gili Malinsky,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Linda Blair earned an Oscar nomination for the memorable child role in The Exorcist as Regan, a young girl possessed by a demon whose mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn) consults with Catholic priests on removing the entity.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
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Pre-arrival photo consults help estimate graft counts, map a design, and explain how prices range with case complexity.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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