: 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
Rebecca Grambone, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Georgia survived a back-and-forth shootout with Mississippi that saw the Rebels also fall from the ranks of the unbeatens.
—Eddie Timanus, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Meinerz flipped back and forth some his rookie year and understands the challenge.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Following some back-and-forth with customer service, a new mattress appeared downstairs in my apartment about a week after placing my order.
—Rebecca Grambone, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2025
Georgia survived a back-and-forth shootout with Mississippi that saw the Rebels also fall from the ranks of the unbeatens.
—Eddie Timanus, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Laguna Beach led 20-13 after a back and forth first half behind three touchdown passes from Hurst.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025
Meinerz flipped back and forth some his rookie year and understands the challenge.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 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 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share