back-and-forth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ən(d)-ˈfȯrth 

: discussion sense 1, give-and-take

also : exchange sense 1

back and forth

2 of 2

adverb

: backward and forward

also : between two places or persons

Synonyms of back-and-forth

Noun

• exchange

Examples of back-and-forth in a Sentence

Noun

after the usual back-and-forth of official gifts, the two leaders entered into a serious discussion

the others listened with relish to the back-and-forth between the two noted professors

Adverb

The chair rocked back and forth.

The children were shuttled back and forth between school and home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amid the public back-and-forth, Binance’s two monitors, whose roles include flagging any misconduct, have remained quiet. —Ben Weiss, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026

The back-and-forth discussion spanned a dozen minutes before 11 of 13 city council members metaphorically raised their hands, pledging up to $600 million to the Kansas City Royals for a downtown baseball stadium. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026

Adverb

The newspaper said Williamson had a single phone call with Wilkins, and then some emails back and forth, which is an ordinary reporting practice. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

The one wild card for an event with a temporary 'Draft Theater' that was built just 3 weeks ago, a ferry ferrying people back and forth across a river, and most events outside are the weather. —Ron Smiley, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back-and-forth

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth