throwback

1 of 2

noun

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

throw back

2 of 2

verb

threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back

transitive verb

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

3

: reflect

intransitive verb

: to revert to an earlier type or phase

Examples of throwback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It's got a throwback early 2000s style aggression. —Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Feb. 2026

Arraez, then, is a true throwback hitter in an era where batting averages have plummeted due to advancements in pitching. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026

In a throwback to the pandemic, Kuhlman and his colleagues worked up the new program in a matter of days—but Valley View has none of the funding that poured into school districts during the COVID crisis. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026

His new film, Send Help, however, is a welcome throwback to his roots—a horror-comedy full of spirited, violent silliness. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for throwback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids 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