: 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
Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Trump’s retreat from negotiations follows a long-standing back-and-forth between the two countries on trade, which kickstarted when Trump implemented the application of an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada in February.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 29 June 2025
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
The dad of two could be seen wearing a white T-shirt and a backwards white hat, bobbing his head as his daughter, who wore a black tube top and oversized biker jacket, moved back and forth.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
One of the sneakier standout back-and-forth games ended in a tie — thanks to La Habra junior DJ Mitchell and Oaks Christian sophomore Treyvone Towns Jr. matching each other blow for blow.
—Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Trump’s retreat from negotiations follows a long-standing back-and-forth between the two countries on trade, which kickstarted when Trump implemented the application of an additional 25% tariff on imports from Canada in February.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 29 June 2025
Adverb
That was the real-life back and forth on Instagram and Twitter.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
The dad of two could be seen wearing a white T-shirt and a backwards white hat, bobbing his head as his daughter, who wore a black tube top and oversized biker jacket, moved back and forth.
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 20 June 2025
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 2 Jul. 2025.
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