: 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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Iran’s supreme leader has still vowed to further retaliate against Israel, part of a back-and-forth since April that has drawn in the U.S. to help defend Israel against Iranian missiles.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Woman Switched at Birth Celebrates Birthday with Biological Mom After Decades-Long Search (Exclusive)
After messaging back and forth, Claire and Tony found out that Tony’s sister, named under the pseudonym Jessica, and Claire were both born at the same hospital around the same time 55 years ago.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for back-and-forth 
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Noun
The dynamic between Callum and tracker Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), meanwhile, is your classic buddy-cop back-and-forth, with the gruff Callum slowly warming to the disreputable criminal he’s forced to partner up with when Santa gets kidnapped two days before Christmas.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
Iran’s supreme leader has still vowed to further retaliate against Israel, part of a back-and-forth since April that has drawn in the U.S. to help defend Israel against Iranian missiles.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
However, being separated didn't stop them from engaging in a fight, hitting each other with their paws while meowing back and forth.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Woman Switched at Birth Celebrates Birthday with Biological Mom After Decades-Long Search (Exclusive)
After messaging back and forth, Claire and Tony found out that Tony’s sister, named under the pseudonym Jessica, and Claire were both born at the same hospital around the same time 55 years ago.
—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 Nov. 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 Nov. 2024.
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