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

At the end of DeSmet's testimony, the defense team and prosecutors got into a back-and-forth, questioning him about the sheriff's office's responsibility to keep hallways safe and whether allowing Flores-Ruiz to exit through a non-public hallway would be safer. —John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 16 Dec. 2025

This back-and-forth struggle to dominate American institutions testifies to their surpassing value and to their insusceptibility to permanent subordination. —Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Adverb

Michael's mom, who lives in North Dakota, says flying back and forth for this has also been a financial burden. —Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025

During the first year of the tour, Gorman was flying back and forth between concert stops to Los Angeles, juggling rehearsals and performances with medical appointments, biopsies and the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis. —Bryan West, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

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