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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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of back-and-forths
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
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
-
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
-
Others come during private discussions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Skubal’s side evidently saw little point in advancing the discussions.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Goldman’s interest comes as prediction markets gain visibility amid debates over market transparency and regulatory boundaries.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The importance of information literacy has only grown with the rise of content generated by AI and large language models (LLMs), sparking new debates about reliability, accountability and correction.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
15 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
-
The Marlins asked for him in trade talks with the Yankees about Cabrera last month.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Sudan peace talks resume in Cairo as the conflict between the army and Rapid Support Forces approaches the three-year mark since April 2023.—
Fatma Khaled,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Department of Children and Families has received more than 300 reports of child trafficking in the past two years and completed more than 350 consults.—
Kaitlin McCallum,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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