: 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
Hannah Lang and Judith Langowski, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The back-and-forth comes after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the U.S. must facilitate his return.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Rebecca Morin Trump undeterred amid tariff backlash U.S. stocks are swinging back and forth as people brace for growing inflation and a possible recession.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth
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Noun
Sense of chaos That back-and-forth has injected a sense of chaos into Chinatown businesses, said Eva Sam, the owner of Popular Jewelry in New York City, a family business known for chains and pendants with ornate gemstones popular with hip hop artists.
—Hannah Lang and Judith Langowski, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
The back-and-forth comes after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the U.S. must facilitate his return.
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
There was a lot of tonal discussion and back and forth.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Rebecca Morin Trump undeterred amid tariff backlash U.S. stocks are swinging back and forth as people brace for growing inflation and a possible recession.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 9 Apr. 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 21 Apr. 2025.
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