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 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

Sometimes the Dons lined up their three-man line in a regular stance, and on others plays the front seven were in all the box, on their feet and moving back and forth before the snap to disguise who was going to blitz. —Steve Dulas, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025

The latest news follows significant back and forth over whether the benefits would go out during the ongoing government shutdown, leaving many scrambling to find other options for food. —Katie Wiseman, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025

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