back-and-forth

1 of 2

noun

back and forth

2 of 2

adverb

: 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
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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back-and-forth was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

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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.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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