BACK-AND-FORTHS Synonyms: 62 Similar Words

back-and-forths

noun

plural of back-and-forth

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forths

Noun

Xi also announced that China will invite 100,000 American youth to come to his country for studies and exchanges in the next five years and that China will send two pandas to the zoo in Atlanta.

— Aamer Madhani, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Five French labels, including Baziszt, Coltesse, Egonlab, Ludovic de Saint Sernin and Mii Collection, will participate in exhibitions, market visits, and exchanges to help the brands better understand China’s retail and consumer ecosystem.

— Denni Hu, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of exchanges

Noun

The lack of a real-time conversation means many patients aren’t getting the type of care recommended by medical societies that prescribe GLP-1s, including discussions about weight-loss goals, past efforts and eating disorders.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
But after that, with projections showing OCPS losing thousands more students over the next five years, closure discussions seem inevitable.

— Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of discussions

Noun

Since the drama over debates erupted last week, Jolly’s position appears to have evolved into an ideological one — and a view that almost no other candidate on the Democratic ticket has publicly agreed with.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
California’s 176-page voter guide is dense with ballot measure legalese, policy debates and obscure candidates for statewide office.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of debates

Noun

The first stage of any WTO case is a round of formal talks called consultations, which the two governments are required to attempt before the dispute can go further.

— Filipe Mendonça, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
Ten shops-in-shop line the perimeter of the new space, which features rows of glittering glass cases and a living room area for launches, events and consultations.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of consultations

Noun

My good friends Jim Fourmont of the Lamplighters and Bill Miller, who has been a Lamplighter and a Harmonizer, agreed wholeheartedly in my recent conversations with them.

— Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
My conversations and research left me much less shocked at that statistic that had sent chills down my spine a few weeks prior.

— Luba Kassova, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of conversations

Noun

Alli said talks on this issue were expected to continue in New York during the United Nations General Assembly this week.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
The discussions have also included output — including Ellison’s longstanding pledge to produce at least 30 films a year, according to two sources familiar with the talks.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of talks

Noun

Complimentary fitness classes, one-on-one personal training, nutrition consults, Pilates, breathing classes, and flow yoga are among many other options.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Mindy Leffler developed the Duchenne Video Assessment, used in Capricor’s Phase 3 study, and consults on its data.

— Mindy Leffler, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of consults

Browse Nearby Words

back-and-forth

back-and-forths

back away

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Style

“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of back-and-forths

noun

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