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
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
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
-
Strategies to reduce returns range from charging for return shipping to providing more granular sizing information and incentivizing exchanges over refunds.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets started the game with Jokic on Wembanyama and Aaron Gordon ready to switch on screen exchanges between Wemby and Stephon Castle.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Signaling progress in the peace talks, Axios reported that Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions mediated by some Gulf states for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could end the conflict, although the odds for reaching a partial deal before the Tuesday deadline were slim.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, discussions about philosophy, politics and religion might be profound or thought-provoking to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Salvadoran national’s case has become a flash point in immigration debates after he was mistakenly deported last year and forcibly brought back.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Long before debates about sampling and credit dominated music discourse, Vanilla Ice made history in 1990 by becoming the first hip-hop artist to top the Billboard Hot 100.—
Ryan Brennan
April 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Florida Injury Advocate offers free initial consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, helping make qualified legal representation more accessible to individuals in the South Florida community, regardless of their financial situation.—
Anton Lucanus
April 3,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Therapy can be done via telehealth, as can consultations that, technically, consist of only a conversation.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mercury in your 10th House of Career trines blessed Jupiter in your 2nd House of Analytics, so conversations can lift your income or unlock other support.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Per the complaint, Gay admitted to engaging in text and Reddit conversations with the undercover account after being read his Miranda rights.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The countries are to hold talks this week on cementing the truce, which each hailed as an unalloyed victory.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
During the regular session budget talks stalemated largely on the overall size of the spending plan.—
News Service Of Florida,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gingrich 360 consults with various companies in the health care industry that would be affected by health care transparency reforms.—
Bobby Jindal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The position consults with medical, social work, rehabilitation, education, nursing, custody and other personnel regarding program planning and evaluation and the development of direct and indirect services — with medical and other clinical consultation as necessary.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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