: 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
Sam Meredith, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
In the second half, the Pacers took only three minutes to take a lead and start what turned into a back-and-forth battle.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
However, Boone’s plan is to keep Vivas as second, opposed to him and other capable infielders like Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Pablo Reyes moving back and forth between the two positions.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
The sector is known to be acutely vulnerable to Trump’s back-and-forth trade policy, particularly given the high globalization of supply chains and the heavy reliance on manufacturing operations across North America.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025
In the second half, the Pacers took only three minutes to take a lead and start what turned into a back-and-forth battle.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Gert started to giggle again, and the officer shined his flashlight into both of their faces, back and forth.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 3 May 2025
However, Boone’s plan is to keep Vivas as second, opposed to him and other capable infielders like Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Pablo Reyes moving back and forth between the two positions.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025
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 8 May. 2025.
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