give-and-take

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The European Union, with its cumbersome culture of consensus-building and give-and-take, was the most elaborate expression of that political way of life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Whatever the reason, it’s a shame that one of the couple’s final collaborative works — a very sweet and realistic tale of give-and-take — is all but missing from the documentary about their relationship.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2025

This give-and-take between his own roles is probably why he has a particular aptitude for writing good dialogue, as his former mentor and teacher Beau O’Reilly says.

From Seattle Times • May 8, 2024

“The concept I had in my mind was people partnering in movement, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, where there’s a give-and-take related to what you’re going to do.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2023

I saw Malcolm X too many times exhilarated in after-lecture give-and-take with predominantly white student bodies at colleges and universities to ever believe that he nurtured at his core any blanket white-hatied.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey