trade-off

noun

ˈtrād-ˌȯf How to pronounce trade-off (audio)
Definition of trade-offnext
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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of trade-off For example, a business leader might use AI to translate a vague concern into a specific decision memo, compare the trade-offs between two options or summarize a meeting. — Rawad Baroud, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Avila Chevalier represents something different, an academic leftism rigid in its refusal to accept trade-offs or make concessions to ordinary people’s moral intuitions. — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026 Participants repeatedly emphasized that difficult trade-offs are acceptable when they are explained clearly, implemented transparently and viewed as fair. — Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026 Higher defense spending could support defense companies’ credit quality, S&P said, but may add pressure to sovereign budgets and force politically difficult trade-offs. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade-off
exchange
Noun
  • In January 2015, Shirley agreed to a plea deal in exchange for testifying against the Leonard brothers.
    — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • The resulting arguments, trolling and nasty exchanges can signal to the algorithm that the content is engaging, prompting it to show those posts to even more people who are likely to react and further amplify the conversation.
    — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Definition of exchange

Browse Nearby Words

trade names
trade-off
trade-offs
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Cite this Entry

“Trade-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade-off. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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