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
Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
When Kim tried to open it, Khloé attempted to shut the door in her face, as captured in a throwback video on the series' official YouTube channel.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
His style is a throwback to an era when teams ran enforcers on their fourth line, but Clattenburg has shown signs of being able to move the needle offensively (especially in preseason).
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
In fact, the company’s third distinct supercar, the Utopia, is a bit of a throwback.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
Halloween season is the perfect excuse to try something new, and this year’s candy lineup is packed with creative twists, nostalgic throwbacks, and a few magical surprises.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
When Kim tried to open it, Khloé attempted to shut the door in her face, as captured in a throwback video on the series' official YouTube channel.
—Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
His style is a throwback to an era when teams ran enforcers on their fourth line, but Clattenburg has shown signs of being able to move the needle offensively (especially in preseason).
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
In fact, the company’s third distinct supercar, the Utopia, is a bit of a throwback.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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