: backward and forward
also
: between two places or persons
Synonyms
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
Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
The technical back-and-forth underscored the potential of quantum computing and the ambitious visions of tech leaders like Musk and Pichai.
—Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Deadline offers our usual recap, followed by a back and forth discussion between Mike Fleming Jr and Lynette Rice, who has spent a lot of time covering the Taylor Sheridan Universe.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back-and-forth 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
After a legal back-and-forth over the vote, in which the bank contested the validity of ballots cast by former employees, the National Labor Relations Board certified the election results on Tuesday.
—Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
The technical back-and-forth underscored the potential of quantum computing and the ambitious visions of tech leaders like Musk and Pichai.
—Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Their mom, Shira Moffatt, captured the scene as the elk excitedly nudged the ball back and forth with the teens for several minutes.
—Ronnie Li, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
Deadline offers our usual recap, followed by a back and forth discussion between Mike Fleming Jr and Lynette Rice, who has spent a lot of time covering the Taylor Sheridan Universe.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back-and-forth
Dictionary Entries Near 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 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share