: 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
Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The game then turned into a back-and-forth battle.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
After months of back-and-forth the two entities finally came to an agreement, but the relationship remains tense.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 31 Dec. 2025
The game then turned into a back-and-forth battle.
—Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 31 Dec. 2025
Adverb
Kelce was visibly emotional during the national anthem, rocking back and forth with his hand over his chest.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2025
Twenty hinge-pipe beams were installed inside segments of the roadway, which allow the bridge deck to flex and slide back and forth as the temperature changes or ground shakes, but prevent lateral, side-to-side jolts that could jeopardize the bridge’s integrity.
—Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 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 1 Jan. 2026.
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