: 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
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Though the back-and-forth between council, city staff and developers took up much of the hearing, over a dozen citizens chimed in.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
After months of back and forth, Wintrow got a corrective law passed in March to address the problem.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
Geragos asked during one back-and-forth.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Though the back-and-forth between council, city staff and developers took up much of the hearing, over a dozen citizens chimed in.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 1 May 2026
Adverb
Like many of the exchanges with Democrats during the hearing, the back and forth grew heated, as Carbajal cut Hegseth off in the middle of his answer.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
After months of back and forth, Wintrow got a corrective law passed in March to address the problem.
—Idaho Statesman, 30 Apr. 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 3 May. 2026.
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