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
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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
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Recent Examples of back-and-forth
The addition of the property tax language kicked off hours of back-and-forth political maneuvering.
—
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
More Evan Vucci/AP What To Know Lutnick got into a back-and-forth with Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana on Wednesday while testifying on Capitol Hill.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Whereas Toni Morrison’s extensive notes on Angela Davis’s autobiography have been preserved on paper for years, newer back-and-forths between editors and writers might disappear into the digital void.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
But prior to the back-and-forth court rulings on Trump’s import taxes last week, many large retailers in the U.S. walked back their previous vows not to increase the prices of their products, with some citing the tariffs as contributing to their decisions.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
More Evan Vucci/AP What To Know Lutnick got into a back-and-forth with Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana on Wednesday while testifying on Capitol Hill.
—Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Whereas Toni Morrison’s extensive notes on Angela Davis’s autobiography have been preserved on paper for years, newer back-and-forths between editors and writers might disappear into the digital void.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025
But prior to the back-and-forth court rulings on Trump’s import taxes last week, many large retailers in the U.S. walked back their previous vows not to increase the prices of their products, with some citing the tariffs as contributing to their decisions.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forth
Noun
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Details of the negotiations were not released, but reports suggested the discussions largely focused on limiting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanction relief.—
Caitlin McFall , Greg Wehner , Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
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The Red Sox and Twins made a late-night trade on Wednesday to bring struggling right-handed reliever Jorge Alcala to Boston in exchange for minor league third baseman Andy Lugo.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Lawyers specializing in open government law told the Star-Telegram that the board likely violated the Texas Open Meetings Act with that closed-door discussion.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2025
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As Rodgers settles in out in Pittsburgh, the veteran quarterback was recently asked about his past discussions with the Giants.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Noun
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This is thematically tied to the internal debate at Arsenal over the No 9 position.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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But how can any form of love take one side in a debate?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 June 2025
Noun
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The first is that the right-leaning government, which took office in November 2023, threw out 35 climate policies, including a clean car discount and a fund for investing in decarbonizing industries, without proper public consultation.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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Shake on it Delegations of China and the U.S. pose for a group photo prior to the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London, Britain, June 9, 2025.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
11 June 2025
Noun
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In The Permanente Medical Group, virtual specialty consults like these resolved 40% of cases immediately without the need for additional visits.—
Robert Pearl,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Through Safe in the Seat’s free car seat finder tool, online courses, helpful videos, personalized consults, and daily doses of safety tips and tricks, Michelle is empowering caregivers to keep their most precious cargo safe in the seat.—
Kimberly Zapata,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
That simple question opened the door to a new kind of conversation.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
10 June 2025
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The View From Brad Schneider This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
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But if confirmed, the Russian advance would be a setback for Ukrainian forces at a time when peace talks have stalled.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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He’s started bypassing them, the City Hall reporters, in favor of talk podcasts, conservative outlets, and the remaining bits of the ethnic media that still exists in the city.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forth. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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