: 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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The administration’s tariff policy has whipsawed back and forth so rapidly that businesses planning their futures can barely keep up.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 22 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
At the time, Vallow Daybell and Chad Daybell had been traveling back and forth to Hawaii, where they got married.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The administration’s tariff policy has whipsawed back and forth so rapidly that businesses planning their futures can barely keep up.
—Luke Broadwater, New York Times, 22 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 28 Apr. 2025.
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