1
as in exchange
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
2
as in discussion
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.
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Recent Examples of back-and-forth
Because of their public back-and-forth, O'Donnell said people would confront her on the street and curse at her in front of her youngest child Clay, who was five years old at the time.
—
Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
In a back-and-forth game, the Steelers trailed 26-17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Players and spectators alike are drawn to the fast pace, thrilling back-and-forth rallies and dramatic athletic feats like diving saves and towering blocks.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Sanne Jacobson, an anesthetist for 13 years at the Oakland Kaiser who has represented the anesthetists in bargaining, said the back-and-forth has has stretched on for a year and a half and that the company’s wages haven’t kept up with the market.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
In a back-and-forth game, the Steelers trailed 26-17 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Players and spectators alike are drawn to the fast pace, thrilling back-and-forth rallies and dramatic athletic feats like diving saves and towering blocks.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Sanne Jacobson, an anesthetist for 13 years at the Oakland Kaiser who has represented the anesthetists in bargaining, said the back-and-forth has has stretched on for a year and a half and that the company’s wages haven’t kept up with the market.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
-
Residents of the apartment complex described 40 to 60 gunshots during the exchange of gunfire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Sep. 2025
-
China’s growing interest in winter sports has opened new space its sports and tourism exchanges with countries where skiing is popular.—
Russell Flannery,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For Donohue, a one-on-one discussion with Hunt and a later meeting with his constituents further complicated his decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
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If both polls and discussions with my friends are anything to go by, Americans feel forever locked in a state of political conflict.—
Sarah Stein Lubrano,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The vitriol levied at uninvolved lawmakers since Wednesday's shooting has had a chilling effect on the American tradition of lawmakers' community engagement — as well as the open debate and political discourse Kirk himself espoused.—
Sasha Pezenik,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
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In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate—never through violence.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There is no time limit on how long such consultations could take, and experts say the language is flexible enough to allow each member to decide how far to go in responding to armed aggression against another.—
Matt Spetalnick,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Poland has not invoked Article 5, but by calling for Article 4 consultations—only the eighth time in NATO’s history — Warsaw made clear this is more than a one-off incident.—
David A. Deptula,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Arie Perliger does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.—
Arie Perliger,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
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At the first sign of trouble, the application would trigger a telemedicine consult.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Titled Forever Our Girlfriend, the celebration takes place at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles, where Akil will sit down for a candid conversation with Hollywood Confidential founder Steve Jones.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
13 Sep. 2025
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The conversation eventually shifted to basketball.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Another interesting talk was that of Charles Alpert from Cadence.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Republican lawmakers are upping the pressure on GOP leaders to extend enhanced health insurance subsidies set to expire at year’s end for those with Affordable Care Act coverage, bolstering similar demands from Democrats as part of government funding talks.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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