back-and-forthing

noun

back-and-forth·ing ¦bak-ən(d)-ˈfȯr-thiŋ

: the exchange of ideas through discussion or debate

… Friday's back-and-forthing had produced an acceptance in principle of 7-of-9 items of dispute.—

Dick Shippy, Miami Herald, 17 July 1988

Stratfor's briefs don't sound like the usual Washington back-and-forthing, whereby agencies avoid dramatic declarations on the chance they might be wrong.—

Sam C. Gwynne, Time, 25 Jan. 1999

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of back-and-forthing was in 1930

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Back-and-forthing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-and-forthing. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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