: 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
Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The 40-40 tie featured back-and-forth action, including a tying field goal on the last play of overtime to forge the stalemate.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
People rocked back and forth, some wiping tears with each passing lyric.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
The end of this two-drinks-past-the-limit, back-and-forth game was flat-out surreal.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
The 40-40 tie featured back-and-forth action, including a tying field goal on the last play of overtime to forge the stalemate.
—Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
There'll be some back and forth, Martha.
—ABC News, 5 Oct. 2025
People rocked back and forth, some wiping tears with each passing lyric.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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