: 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
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Despite the back-and-forth, Cooper is adamant that Gupta’s defense strategy has remained unchanged.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Rohit Arora, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Lali rubbed against me about twenty times, weaving back and forth against my legs, meowing, making eye contact.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
There is a lot of back-and-forth nowadays regarding the existential risk of AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Despite the back-and-forth, Cooper is adamant that Gupta’s defense strategy has remained unchanged.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Canada has battled back and forth with Trump since the beginning of his term, and thus far, no agreement has been reached.
—Rohit Arora, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Lali rubbed against me about twenty times, weaving back and forth against my legs, meowing, making eye contact.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 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 28 Aug. 2025.
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