up-and-down

adjective

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\ ˌəp-ən(d)-ˈdau̇n

, ˌəp-ᵊm- \

Definition of up-and-down

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : marked by alternate upward and downward movement, action, or surface

2 : perpendicular

up and down

adverb

Definition of up and down (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to and fro paced up and down

2 : so as to move upward and then downward repeatedly jumping up and down

3 archaic : here and there especially throughout an area

4 : with regard to every particular : thoroughly knew the territory up and down

Other Words from up-and-down More Example Sentences Learn More About up-and-down

Examples of up-and-down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb But Mayfield’s deep passing ability has been up and down throughout his career. — Scott Patsko, cleveland, 7 June 2022 Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds were up and down this week, as investors looked for stability amidst a series of challenging economic data. — Anna Bahney, CNN, 26 May 2022 The big difference is 2019 goalie Jordan Binnington has been up and down this season, but Ville Husso has been solid. — Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 2 May 2022 The Huskies’ bench play has been up and down all season. — Shreyas Laddha, courant.com, 12 Mar. 2022 Dozens of people in athletic shirts and Spandex shorts raced up and down the memorial’s steps as six workers in yellow vests powered up their leaf blowers. — Washington Post, 29 May 2022 Rebuking Trump: The ex-president picked losers up and down the ballot in Georgia, raising questions about the firmness of his grip on the G.O.P. — New York Times, 28 May 2022 Homer tells it better, The chickens got down from their owners and strutted up and down the aisle and then the pig got loose and scrambled around in something of a panic. — Greg Autry, Forbes, 28 May 2022 But even as Republican voters overwhelmingly maintain loyalty to Trump, taking his word up and down the ballot is another story entirely. — Rick Klein, ABC News, 9 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'up-and-down.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.