Synonyms of trade-off

trade-off

noun

ˈtrād-ˌȯf 

as in exchange

a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another

a trade-off in which a company got a celebrity spokesperson and a fading star got some much-needed cash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exchange
• swap
• trade
• deal
• back-and-forth
• bargain
• bargaining
• commutation
• barter
• substitution
• dealing
• truck
• replacement
• negotiation
• transaction
• quid pro quo
• dicker
• reciprocation
• recompense
• haggling
• dickering
• horse trade
• horse trading
• logrolling
• requital

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trade-off

The trade-off is that enabling this turns off AI features, cloud recording, and other features. — Chris Hoffman, PC Magazine, 31 July 2026

The villains in his stories are motivated by pure greed, and trade-offs do not exist. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Expanding to India might be a better way to capture growth, but this takes time and a willingness to accept short-term efficiency costs—a trade-off that many firms keep deferring. — Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026

The state can reduce property taxes, but those reductions would require trade-offs, such as raising other taxes or reducing government services to Floridians. — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 30 July 2026