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
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
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
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
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
-
While others have been freed in high-profile prisoner exchanges, Olga, a Russian citizen who was arrested on during a trip to help her sister through cancer treatment, remains behind bars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
The Moon in Aquarius moves through your 6th House and trines Venus in Gemini, making routines and helpful exchanges flow smoothly.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Through their discussions, and the essays and stories that they were assigned to write each week, Heidi came to know her students’ pain.—
Nicholas Dawidoff,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
The Taurus Sun forms a supportive sextile to Jupiter in your 3rd House of Communication, giving negotiations, outreach, and practical discussions unusual traction.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Noun
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However, if recent debates are any indicators, this one could also become a showdown among the Democrat candidates calling out each other.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Her tenure included the COVID-19 pandemic, protests over policing and racial justice, explosive growth, contentious debates over transit and, most recently, criticism about public safety and transparency.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Medical consultations will begin with a comprehensive evaluation of data collected by the device and, when available, blood work and medical history, the company said in its release.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
-
For a more hands-on wellness experience, Zero George partners with Longevity Club, which offers individualized health consultations, Pilates, yoga, personal training, small group fitness classes, and holistic care, designed to support balance, resilience, and overall vitality.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Several candidates said the case has intensified conversations around ethics and accountability, while also highlighting broader frustrations residents already had with City Hall responsiveness and city services.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
9 May 2026
-
Others are opting for restorative practices, which emphasize group conversations where students share feelings and perspectives to build community and resolve conflict.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and one of the negotiators in past talks with the US in Pakistan, Mohammad Ghalibaf, warned Iranians of a hard road ahead in a series of audio messages posted by state media.—
Alejandra Jaramillo,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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Raise a glass Corning CEO Wendell Weeks talks to CNBC's Katie Tarasov at Corning's cable factory in Hickory, North Carolina, on January 9, 2026.—
Davis Giangiulio,Alex Harring,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
And immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia, area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consults per day.—
Sarah Raza,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia, area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consults per day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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