throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak 
1
: one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style
his manners were a throwback to a more polite era
2
a
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
b
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion
threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back
1
: to delay the progress or advance of : check
2
: to cause to rely : make dependent
… they are thrown back upon … native intelligence …—
Michael Novak
Michael Novak3
: reflect
: to revert to an earlier type or phase
Examples of throwback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Though a throwback to the mid-’90s, the dress still retained its timelessness and versatility nearly 30 years on.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
His character Marcelo Alves is more than meets the eye, carrying director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ’70s-throwback thriller up and down a rollercoaster of political intrigue and surrealist imagery.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Billed as a throwback to 1970s horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, Keeper follows a couple during a romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin that turns sinister when a dark presence reveals itself.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
Travolta — also dad to daughter Ella Bleu and son Jett, who died at age 16 after suffering a seizure in 2009 — doesn't often share photos of his children but did post an adorable throwback of his two youngest last month.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Though a throwback to the mid-’90s, the dress still retained its timelessness and versatility nearly 30 years on.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
His character Marcelo Alves is more than meets the eye, carrying director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ’70s-throwback thriller up and down a rollercoaster of political intrigue and surrealist imagery.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 12 Nov. 2025
Billed as a throwback to 1970s horror films like Rosemary’s Baby, Keeper follows a couple during a romantic anniversary trip to a secluded cabin that turns sinister when a dark presence reveals itself.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase
Medical Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
1
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
2
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion
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