: 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
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The back-and-forth game featured seven lead changes, and the Raptors got balanced scoring from the trio of senior guards Connor Bonsett (15 points), Luke Schmeeckle (14) and Blake Gorr (14).
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
After six years back and forth in the courts, former The Newsroom writer John Musero’s suit against Creative Artists Agency over the alleged poaching of his Main Justice pilot script has taken a couple more dramatic turns and alleged blacklists on its way to trial this coming October.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
Good idea, too, after the absolutely scintillating back-and-forth, forth-and-back spectacle Friday night at Viejas Arena.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
The back-and-forth game featured seven lead changes, and the Raptors got balanced scoring from the trio of senior guards Connor Bonsett (15 points), Luke Schmeeckle (14) and Blake Gorr (14).
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
The unexpected surge in business forced him to go back and forth from his warehouse to the shop two to three times a day to restock items.
—Angela Osorio, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
After six years back and forth in the courts, former The Newsroom writer John Musero’s suit against Creative Artists Agency over the alleged poaching of his Main Justice pilot script has taken a couple more dramatic turns and alleged blacklists on its way to trial this coming October.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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