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

In a back-and-forth third set, the Maroons continued to thrive in the clutch, eliminating a 20-16 Carroll lead with a strong 9-3 run. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025

After a back-and-forth dispute about the legality of teaching the lessons on gender identity, McCoul asked the student to leave the class. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025

Adverb

Players typically make a fraction of their major league salary in the minor leagues, and Castillo was potentially facing another year of shuttling back and forth between the majors and minors in 2026. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

Then Singleton turned and stared directly at Matt and his family on the sidelines, put his hand underneath his nether regions, and hopped back and forth. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 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