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

The back-and-forth underscores how quickly Jackson’s surprise entry has escalated tensions in a race already on track to become the most expensive in state history. —Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 7 Feb. 2026

What followed was a back-and-forth fourth quarter that included four lead changes and four ties. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2026

Adverb

Blenkarn and Lim also spoke in an interview prior to the show of wanting to re-create the sensation of gathering around a television and passing a controller back and forth among family or friends while offering commentary on someone’s play style. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

After an agonizing two and a half weeks of waiting, of back and forth, of praying, at the very last minute the judge finally gave her ruling in favor of TPS for Haiti. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

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