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

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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
The surprising rapprochement comes more than a year after a tumultuous back-and-forth between Starkey and the band led by Daltrey, 80 and guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend, 81. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026 Meanwhile, Bass has not emerged unscathed during the back-and-forth. — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Investors have been going back and forth on how big of a threat generative artificial intelligence models are to staid software companies. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Zoe Zeeman swayed back and forth behind her bass, simply dressed in a tee and vintage Lakers shorts. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Back-and-forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-and-forth. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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