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 platforms that offer prediction markets are structured like financial exchanges.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Similar exchanges occurred five more times, according to the indictment, with Popma receiving $15,500 in total and six bottles of alcohol in payment.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
Noun
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Stock Chart IconStock chart icon The discussions at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock marked the first negotiations since Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding last week to end their conflict and extend a shaky ceasefire for at least 60 days.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
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The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe private discussions, said talks included clarifying what Iran meant by recent statements about the Strait of Hormuz.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
Noun
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Lawmakers in Haiti, for example, have been known to pause parliamentary debates to watch Brazil play.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
-
Research grounded in social identity theory suggests that people frequently incorporate national attachment into their personal identity, which helps explain why debates about patriotism can feel deeply emotional rather than purely intellectual.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said consultations through mediators were ongoing regarding the next phase of negotiations to draft a final agreement.—
Erin Cunningham,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Contracting with a reputable Medicare brokerage to offer one-on-one consultations to your retiring employees costs your company nothing and delivers significant value.—
Sylvia Gordon,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
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One of Wood’s earliest conversations with Reid centered on abandoning the heeled footwear that helped define earlier versions of the character.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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Based on extensive research and conversations with Ms Lee, her family and others in her circle, Roché’s narrative emphasizes how much faith, patience and tireless effort was required of Lee’s generation just to secure the basic dignities of American citizenship.—
Rob Salkowitz,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
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The agreement calls for an immediate end to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and sets out expectations for the next phase of talks, which will tackle more challenging issues, mainly the future of Iran's nuclear program.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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That has tribes urgently seeking government-to-government talks with Interior Department officials in a bid to win an exemption, according to Blaine Harden of Inside Climate News.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Talcove consults with the government on tracking illicit funds.—
Laura Geller,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
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But since this efficiency exercise was first announced, the amount the state expects to save from the consults’ recommendations has been dramatically reduced.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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