Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com

backwards and forwards

ADVERB
in detail
Synonyms
WEAK
assiduously completely comprehensively from A to Z from top to bottom fully in and out inside out thoroughly through and through up and down whole hog

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In my second year at Blackburn we were top or second, it was slipping and sliding backwards and forwards.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

She described how Gordon started to rock "backwards and forwards in a chair", muttering under his breath that he was "confused".

From BBC • May 27, 2025

I felt dragged backwards and forwards in time.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2024

“This was heart wrenching, it was backwards and forwards and there were moments when I thought it was going in one direction and then in another,” Cauce says, on the video news conference.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2023

He ran backwards and forwards along the cliff, his face always to the sea, and his voice rose insanely.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "backwards and forwards" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com