: 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
Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The speech saw the ceremony’s host Désirée Nosbusch become emotional and get into back-and-forth with audience members who called out in support of the criticism of Israel and the German government.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
There was a lot of just back and forth with that.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
Cincinnati won a largely back-and-forth game against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, pulling ahead in the second half to beat the Jayhawks 84-68.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The speech saw the ceremony’s host Désirée Nosbusch become emotional and get into back-and-forth with audience members who called out in support of the criticism of Israel and the German government.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
Here, the gentle tide creeps back and forth as a soothing marker of the passing day.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Feb. 2026
There was a lot of just back and forth with that.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
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 22 Feb. 2026.
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