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
-
The two initially make a deal where Hannah exchanges free tutoring lessons for Garrett pretending to be her boyfriend, making her crush jealous.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
To further promote the Chinese film market and domestic films and enhance exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film professionals, the pavilion hosted various activities.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
There have been internal discussions about the cause.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
And all of that will be facilitated by board of trade discussions with the Chinese.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
As tensions rise between the United States and China over trade, technology, Taiwan and military influence, the relationship between the world’s two largest economies is increasingly shaping global politics and national security debates.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 May 2026
-
In the last two debates, Becerra, considered the party's frontrunner, has faced scrutiny from other candidates and the public over his connection to Williamson.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Following the launch of the evaluation in July 2025, the Commission has carried out extensive consultations, including a stakeholder workshop, a call for evidence, and a public consultation that closed on 1 May.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
Many also offer free or low-cost initial consultations, but acting quickly matters.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The idea for Vintage Store Day came out of tough conversations about survival.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
-
Mention client conversations naturally, not performatively.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, European governments are assessing the merits of opening talks with Putin.—
Hanna Arhirova,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
Trump is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday for talks covering a wide-ranging agenda, with Iran war, trade, rare earth export controls, and Taiwan among the central issues.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The next steps are psychological consults, a physical exam, uterine evaluation and blood work.—
Ann Marie Luft,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 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.—
Sarah Raza,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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