1
as in discussion
an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue
a give-and-take about what we should do Saturday night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in negotiation
the act or practice of each side giving up something in order to reach an agreement
negotiating the terms of the deal will require some give-and-take on both sides
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in banter
good-natured teasing or exchanging of clever remarks
enjoyed the flirty give-and-take between the two romantic lead characters
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 give-and-take
The give-and-take over bringing state workers into the office is playing out as public agencies take different approaches to remote work since the pandemic.
—
Yue Stella Yu
feb. 22, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
As the give-and-take between Goldsworthy and the farmers of Penpont has deepened, the latter have become accustomed to the sight of the artist gathering wood or stones or fallen trees.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Without the organic give-and-take of a real therapeutic exchange, patients lose the sense that someone is not merely interpreting your words but genuinely trying to understand you.
—Brianna Hardcastle, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
For any deal to be signed into law, however, will require a give-and-take that Democrats might find difficult to swallow.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give-and-take
Yue Stella Yu
feb. 22, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
As the give-and-take between Goldsworthy and the farmers of Penpont has deepened, the latter have become accustomed to the sight of the artist gathering wood or stones or fallen trees.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Without the organic give-and-take of a real therapeutic exchange, patients lose the sense that someone is not merely interpreting your words but genuinely trying to understand you.
—Brianna Hardcastle, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
For any deal to be signed into law, however, will require a give-and-take that Democrats might find difficult to swallow.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for give-and-take
Recent Examples of Synonyms for give-and-take
Noun
-
Yet the time when the ocean was treated as an afterthought in climate discussions is ending.—
Natalie Sum Yue Chung,
Fortune,
3 May 2026
-
Spirit's cash reserves had dwindled in recent days as talks with the government broke down, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The morning appetite is a different animal from its midday and evening counterparts; there is no growing anticipation, no gradual negotiation, no consideration of snacks or other stopgaps.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
The 34-year-old airline had been seeking a $500 million government bailout to keep flying, but negotiations failed to nail down a deal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Their banter is empty because outside the season’s premiere, The Boys hasn’t actually shown us this awful America, and how everyone within it, including celebrities, are at risk.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Bringing his bag of insane tricks and witty banter to the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for two nights on May 8 and 9, Willman’s crowd work, storytelling and intricate tricks are inspired by everyday life.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The early read was that Alphabet , Microsoft , Meta Platforms , and Amazon all passed with flying colors, but beneath the strong headline numbers, a more nuanced debate is taking shape.—
Paulina Likos,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
There have been debates about the entertainment value of the Premier League all season, but the top-flight of English football remains the least predictable of Europe’s top leagues.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need for strategic compromises with his two-way star to keep him fresh and healthy for the entire season.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a family room/office, a large recreation room, and the separate apartment on the lowest level—an arrangement that can make multigenerational living feel less like a compromise and more like a luxury.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Left on their own, boisterous badinage between old school British thespian Shaw and giggly, hyper-ventilating wannabe movie star Dreyfuss has taken hold.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The action flows, the badinage is fast and fun.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This year, new creative partner Climate Spring will offer yet another dedicated meeting for each fellow with a Climate Spring development executive to provide development advice and consultation on their script.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Russian drone incursions last year prompted Poland to formally invoke NATO's Article 4, which initiates official consultations among allies regarding a direct security threat.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Ado Annie-like Betsy, a horny teen-ager whose father owns a shotgun, Kurtz is playing a character who should be, and kind of is, a one-joke punch line.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Complaints about hospital food are certainly not new, and Jell-O and fruit juice are often the butt of related jokes.—
Stephanie Armour,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Give-and-take.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/give-and-take. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
