: 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
Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
But Meredith’s not laughing, and the back-and-forth escalates enough for Captain Jason, who was meant to join the women for dessert, to slip away from the table unnoticed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The federal government has been shut down since October 1, and Republicans and Democrats have been in a stalemate, trading blame back and forth over who is responsible for the shutdown and seeking to garner support for resolutions to reopen the government.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
The latest in the back-and-forth came on Tuesday evening, when Durant responded to a post on X about Green’s comments.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
But Meredith’s not laughing, and the back-and-forth escalates enough for Captain Jason, who was meant to join the women for dessert, to slip away from the table unnoticed.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
The model comically wiggled her tongue back and forth as the artist worked his magic.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The federal government has been shut down since October 1, and Republicans and Democrats have been in a stalemate, trading blame back and forth over who is responsible for the shutdown and seeking to garner support for resolutions to reopen the government.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 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 8 Nov. 2025.
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