back-and-forth

1 of 2

noun

ˈbak-ən(d)-ˈfȯrth How to pronounce back-and-forth (audio)
Synonyms of back-and-forth
: discussion sense 1, give-and-take
also : exchange sense 1

back and forth

2 of 2

adverb

: backward and forward
also : between two places or persons

Synonyms of back-and-forth

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
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
And the two have made that contrast clear with their public back-and-forth over the years. — Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 2 July 2026 The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility. — Jack Harvel july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Adverb
Shelter-in-place orders have been lifted and reimposed back and forth. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Lonely chairlifts rock back and forth in the wind, nightclubs are shut, and car parks lay empty. — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for back-and-forth

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1941, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back-and-forth was in 1613

Rhymes for back-and-forth

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Browse Nearby Words

back and fill
back-and-forth
back and forth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-and-forth. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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