as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another
according to our barter agreement, I do all of the mechanical work on my neighbor's car, and he does all of my snow removal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barter
Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
In 2020, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources implemented the Terrestrial Plant Rule banning the sale, gifting, barter, exchange, distribution, transportation or introduction of 44 invasive species, like autumn olive, wintercreeper and Japanese stiltgrass.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Nov. 2025
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Wildlife at times was used to barter for drugs, too—for example, abalone was traded for methamphetamine and sturgeon exchanged for heroin.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barter
Noun
Cuba’s complicated barter system with Venezuela—exchanging oil for thousands of Cuban doctors, teachers, sports trainers, technical advisers, and intelligence operatives—has endured.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
In 2020, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources implemented the Terrestrial Plant Rule banning the sale, gifting, barter, exchange, distribution, transportation or introduction of 44 invasive species, like autumn olive, wintercreeper and Japanese stiltgrass.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
The deal, which bartered Iraqi crude oil for Chinese companies undertaking local construction projects, stalled in 2022, raising questions about China’s future role in the country.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Wildlife at times was used to barter for drugs, too—for example, abalone was traded for methamphetamine and sturgeon exchanged for heroin.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barter
Noun
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Romantic Venus sextiles dreamy Neptune, softening conversations and opening space for empathy, imagination, and meaningful exchange.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The strategy also is open to criticism, especially after the Steelers spent most of Day 3 adding special-teams players — why not trade some of that Day 3 draft capital to jump up and secure Lemon like the Eagles did (Philly traded two fourth-rounders to move up three spots)?—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Of course, the latter pick came over from Denver when the Dolphins trade Jaylen Waddle.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When asked about the cost to American Express of protecting against AI errors, Gebb said that agents will improve over time, and if consumers have the confidence to transact using agents on the Amex network, that will ultimately bring more transaction volume to the company.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
14 Apr. 2026
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While economic impact can be quantified and reported, community impact cannot be so easily transacted.—
Michelle Grabner,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite attempts to negotiate the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening during an ongoing ceasefire, the narrow waterway remains shut to virtually all ship traffic.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Olthof Homes successfully challenged a $100,000 penalty levied by the town in the Indiana Court of Appeals, so a lower fine was negotiated between the two parties.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is an obligation under labor law to bargain over changes to employment during the term of the agreement.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
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One way to prevent these kinds of cases is for eligibility rules to be collectively bargained with a college athletes’ union or unions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is the tandem that, led by Snead, the general manager, dealt more first-round draft chips over a five-year span than many NFL clubs do over decades.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Banda issued a walk before Bichette dealt the Twins a big blow.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It’s all curated by owner Sylvie Chateigner, who has methodically merchandised the store by color.—
Clara Giampellegrini,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
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The store’s inventory will come from local closets and be merchandised around upcoming events including Ultra (March 27-29), the Miami Open (through March 29), Formula 1 (May 1-3) and Swim Week (May 25-June 1).—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Miami then swapped it to San Francisco to move up in the draft, and the 49ers shipped it to the New York Jets to move down.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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The money will replace the oldest playground in Boise’s inventory, swap a single portable toilet for a four-season restroom, build a new parking lot and bring the park up to standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Records said.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Barter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barter. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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