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

But there’s a trade-off in that lower-altitude constellations require more satellites for seamless global coverage. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026

Every company makes trade-offs and every generation inherits its share. — Atul Sabharwal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Since nearly every business decision amounts to a trade-off with pros and cons, making the call requires time, resources and access to necessary data from different systems across a company. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

The honest trade-offs None of this comes free, and buyers should walk in clear-eyed. — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026