throwback 1 of 2

Definition of throwbacknext
as in fogy
a person or thing that is similar to someone or something from the past or that is suited to an earlier time
—usually + to
She's a throwback to the actresses of the 1950s. The band's music is a throwback to the 1980s.

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throw back

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of throwback
Noun
It may be branded a Gen Z series, but FX’s Adults is sneakily quite a throwback. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026 And then there’s Chandler Simpson, a throwback speedster who led the AL with 46 steals and is an absolute weapon/distraction on the bases. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026 If Hollister keeps returning to its past after the anniversary, that would be a pretty strong sign that nostalgia is becoming part of the brand’s longer-term strategy rather than a one-time throwback. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 Quinshon Judkins delivers another Trent Richardson throwback performance Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins just delivered a perfectly usable fantasy performance on Thursday night, gaining 96 total yards and reaching the end zone. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throwback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwback
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Bass began to thump from the other side of the wall, and, as if in a dream, the girls left one by one and returned sweating in the old familiar alchemy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The online retailer estimates about 50 percent of items ordered across its markets are returned.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Leaning into its history, Kessler has outfitted the hotel with installations that channel the Jurassic period, including life size dinosaur skeletons and fossils, backlit in a range of bright colors, displayed throughout the walls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Thus, FRBs are a metaphorical cosmic 'fossil record' blasting through space at light speed with the energy of a multitude of stars.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On the price front, China's residential prices have already fallen by 22% since a 2021 peak, compared with a 67% drop in Japan's after a far greater run-up in prices, the S&P report said.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Insider buying fell 18% to 1,290 buyers, down from 1,580 in the second quarter.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • While the boys bicker over stickball rules, old-timers Keith Hernandez, Willie Randolph and Tom Seaver argue from a stoop.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • There are the old-timers who have been cracking jokes on stage since before Gen Zers were born, including Marc Maron, Chelsea Handler and Martin Lawrence.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The manuscript Wayne read to us that night chronicled his involvement with Gloria Swanson, the towering star of Hollywood’s Golden Age who enjoyed latter-day acclaim in 1950 playing a delusional has-been in Sunset Boulevard.
    — Mike Hogan, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • That career move quickly fizzled, leaving a sloppy drunk has-been in the debris.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • These days, oversight hearings have degenerated into partisan brawls.
    — David Wippman, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Fay degenerated on Tuesday, but by Thursday afternoon was once again a strengthening tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, moving west at 6 mph in the central Atlantic, according to the hurricane center.
    — Robin Webb, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwback. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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