1
as in exchanges
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 discussions
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-forths
With each witness, Guillard — in her role as her own attorney — challenged their testimony in sometimes testy back-and-forths that had to be refereed by the judge and court staff.
—
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Kelce and Nicole, 34, broke up multiple times throughout their five years together, and made several public comments and back-and-forths about each other on social media and in interviews over the years.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Given the awkward back-and-forths seen thus far and, even more so, Robinson’s history playing poor communicators, the description is hard to believe.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
The rapper and boxer have had social media back-and-forths with Remy on several occasions due to the situation.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
But unlike some of the classic back-and-forths of the past Probst would have during challenges with folks like Penner and Parvati Shallow, Survivor 49 will also air interactions that take place on both sides of the contests.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Republicans and Democrats engaged in many back-and-forths during the hearing on Wednesday that began in the morning and is expected to last into the evening.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Our back-and-forths with a chatbot, in turn, exteriorize our private, internal dialogues, which some consider constitutive of thought itself.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
Kelce and Nicole, 34, broke up multiple times throughout their five years together, and made several public comments and back-and-forths about each other on social media and in interviews over the years.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Given the awkward back-and-forths seen thus far and, even more so, Robinson’s history playing poor communicators, the description is hard to believe.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2025
The rapper and boxer have had social media back-and-forths with Remy on several occasions due to the situation.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
But unlike some of the classic back-and-forths of the past Probst would have during challenges with folks like Penner and Parvati Shallow, Survivor 49 will also air interactions that take place on both sides of the contests.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Republicans and Democrats engaged in many back-and-forths during the hearing on Wednesday that began in the morning and is expected to last into the evening.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Our back-and-forths with a chatbot, in turn, exteriorize our private, internal dialogues, which some consider constitutive of thought itself.
—Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back-and-forths
Noun
-
Alongside the sharp exchanges about Section 702, lawmakers are also debating whether to introduce new restrictions on the government’s ability to purchase data from third-party data brokers.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Both sides had great chances in the early exchanges.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Already ongoing for days ahead of the visit, discussions about handling security intensified after a heavily armed man sprinted through security and got yards away from the banquet hall crowded with about 2,000 journalists, federal officials and celebrities before he was tackled to the ground.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In the streets of Washington, word of the alarming development spread through discussions with rideshare drivers and in the overheard comments of tuxedoed attendees who blurted out comments in smartphone conversations while walking away from the original site of the dinner.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because debates, facts, and accountability cut through the packaging every single time.—
Heather Somers,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The debates were a nod to the foundation on which Turning Point was built.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia-area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consultations per day.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Problems with the engines were noticed weeks before, but after days of maintenance work and consultations with the manufacturer, the corrosion was not found and the plane was allowed to keep flying, the NTSB said.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
By evening, disruptive Uranus enters Gemini, shifting conversations, decisions, and how information moves through your world.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The team wanted to keep Phillips and even engaged in conversations with Trey Hendrickson, showing the desire for a high-level edge rusher to join Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith in the top three.—
Jeff Howe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But data-sharing concerns prompted Zimbabwe to abandon talks this year over a similar deal to Ghana’s, and led a Kenyan court to suspend implementation of an agreement between Washington and Nairobi.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The mixed results came on a day of rising oil prices and elevated gas prices, amid reports that Iran war peace talks have reached an impasse.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
And immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia, area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consults per day.—
Sarah Raza,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
And immigration attorney Amandeep Hayer said his Vancouver, British Columbia, area practice went from about 200 citizenship cases a year to more than 20 consults per day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back-and-forths. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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