back-and-forth
1 of 2noun
ˈbak-ən(d)-ˈfȯrth 
: discussion sense 1, give-and-take
also : exchange sense 1
back and forth
2 of 2adverb
: backward and forward
also : between two places or persons
Synonyms
Noun
- barter
- commutation
- dicker
- exchange
- quid pro quo
- swap
- trade
- trade-off
- truck
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adverb The chair rocked back and forth. The children were shuttled back and forth between school and home.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Late last month, the candidates went back and forth on Twitter over what McMullin alleged was a failure by the Lee campaign to respond to the Utah Debate Commission before its deadline to agree on a date to spar. Emily Anderson Stern, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 The teams went back and forth in the second quarter with Chicago going up 40-38 at the half. Doug Feinberg, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 The teams went back and forth in the second quarter with Chicago going up 40-38 at the half. Doug Feinberg, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 The two teams went back and forth early in the first set before UAA broke away with a run to 21-13 lead. Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2022 The Internet went back and forth with its opinions of Kim Kardashian's 2022 Met Gala look—a gown straight from the closet of the late Marilyn Monroe—which the reality star went on an extreme diet to fit into. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 18 Aug. 2022 Just spending half hour in a pool, going back and forth. James Brown, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 Most don’t realize the stresses going back and forth puts on their children. Tribune News Service, al, 3 Aug. 2022 See More
Adverb
The males went back and forth between the home before fleeing nearly an hour later. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 Late last month, the candidates went back and forth on Twitter over what McMullin alleged was a failure by the Lee campaign to respond to the Utah Debate Commission before its deadline to agree on a date to spar. Emily Anderson Stern, The Salt Lake Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 The teams went back and forth in the second quarter with Chicago going up 40-38 at the half. Doug Feinberg, ajc, 4 Sep. 2022 The teams went back and forth in the second quarter with Chicago going up 40-38 at the half. Doug Feinberg, oregonlive, 4 Sep. 2022 The two teams went back and forth early in the first set before UAA broke away with a run to 21-13 lead. Chris Bieri, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2022 The Internet went back and forth with its opinions of Kim Kardashian's 2022 Met Gala look—a gown straight from the closet of the late Marilyn Monroe—which the reality star went on an extreme diet to fit into. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 18 Aug. 2022 Just spending half hour in a pool, going back and forth. James Brown, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2022 Most don’t realize the stresses going back and forth puts on their children. Tribune News Service, al, 3 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1941, in the meaning defined above
Adverb
1613, in the meaning defined above
back-and-forth
noun
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
Relevance
- exchange
- swap
- dealing
- bargaining
- trade
- trade-off
- commutation
- barter
- dicker
- substitution
- negotiation
- truck
- transaction
- deal
- haggling
- dickering
- bargain
- replacement
- quid pro quo
- reciprocation
- logrolling
- horse trade
- horse trading
- recompense
- requital
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
- discussion
- debate
- consultation
- conversation
- consult
- talk
- dialogue
- deliberation
- argumentation
- meeting
- argument
- dialog
- colloquy
- palaver
- conference
- give-and-take
- argy-bargy
- confab
- confabulation
- parley
- counsel
- discourse
- consultancy
- council
- chat
- negotiation
- roundtable
- seminar
- symposium
- forum
- disquisition
- bargaining
- bull session
- chat room
- talkathon
- skull practice
- skull session
- rap
- words
- pourparler
- jelly bean
- jelly doughnut
- jelly end rot
- jelly fungus
- jelly lichen
- jelly of whar
- jelly of Wharton
- jelly plant
- jelly powder
- jelly roll
- jelly strength
- jellyball
- jellyballs
- jellybeans
- jellybread
- jellyfish
- jellyfishes
- jellygraphed
- jellygraphing
- jellygraphs
- jellying
- jellyleaf
- jellyleafs
- jellyleaves
- jellylike