: 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
Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The following months were filled with back-and-forth negotiations.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 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
After a bit of back-and-forth, one of the crew members grabbed a plastic bag and handed it to a tall, radiantly handsome Canadian actor named Marc.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
The following months were filled with back-and-forth negotiations.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 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 1 May. 2026.
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