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

Now, after over a year of back-and-forth negotiating by conferences on what the right amount of teams should be if the CFP were to have expanded, that number increases by twelve. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

The back-and-forth has spawned a torrent of hilarious memes, as well as an open invite from Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce’s Garage Beer brand to visit their spot anytime. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Three City Section running backs — Tru Warrior Casas of Fairfax, Ceasar Reyes of Garfield and Brandon Hernandez of Panorama — are going back and forth leading the state in rushing. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

West Chester University political science professor John Kennedy said this House seat has swung back and forth since the 1950s. — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 20 Oct. 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