: backward and forward
also
: between two places or persons
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
Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
Barker has also wisely chosen to confine much of his action to the back-and-forth between Nikki and Bear, which creates a mood of inescapable claustrophobia.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Mann, played with a weary dignity by Hanns Zischler, shuttles back and forth across what will soon be the Berlin Wall along with his loyal daughter Erika, a writer herself who is serving here as his companion, assistant and translator, embodied by the magnificent Sandra Hüller.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
The result is a fiery and impassioned offering that finds the veteran fully engaged and intent on proving no chinks have been left in his armor despite his tenuous back-and-forth with his Compton counterpart.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 May 2026
Barker has also wisely chosen to confine much of his action to the back-and-forth between Nikki and Bear, which creates a mood of inescapable claustrophobia.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Adverb
The first quarter was back and forth until the Aces got hot, going on a 13-0 run over a 90-second stretch to break open a double-digit lead fueled by six points from Carter.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
Mann, played with a weary dignity by Hanns Zischler, shuttles back and forth across what will soon be the Berlin Wall along with his loyal daughter Erika, a writer herself who is serving here as his companion, assistant and translator, embodied by the magnificent Sandra Hüller.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Cite this Entry
“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-and-forth. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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