throwback

noun throw·back \ ˈthrō-ˌbak \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of throwback

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

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Recent Examples of throwback from the Web

There’s obviously just sort of an inherent magic to this throwback premise.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Set It Up’s Glen Powell Invites You to “Netflix and Chill” with His New Rom-Com," 14 June 2018
Backed by his throwback band of bar rockers and buddied up with harp wiz Dennis Gruenling, Moss and company swing into the Torch for a Sunday matinee gig.

— aaron davis, sacbee, "Front Street Brewfest, Party in the Park sneakily hosting strong music lineups," 14 June 2018
The President and the American flag are each celebrating another year of life -- a throwback Thursday for them both.

— brenna williams, CNN, "#TBT: The origin of Flag Day, America's lesser-known patriotic holiday," 14 June 2018
Williams was joined for the throwback pop performance by Russian singer Aida Garifullina and a bevy of sequin-costumed dancers.

— raisa bruner, Time, "World Cup Performer Robbie Williams Made Quite an Eyebrow-Raising Statement," 14 June 2018
Adding a player like Grenier, who is a no-doubt shortstop down the road and has the makings of a throwback middle infielder with the ability to slap the ball around and get on base, is a good start on that front.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles set blueprint for rebuild during MLB draft, filling needs for pitching upside, infielder," 5 June 2018
Some called out an irregularity in a recent topless photo Jenner posted, as well as throwback photos and bikini pictures.

— melissa minton, Allure, "Kendall Jenner Is Being Body-Shamed for Her Weight and Tan Lines in This Bikini Picture," 31 May 2018
Me & My Monkey Get a second hit of Beatles'-era throwback at a free performance by this tribute band, part of Watauga's MasterWorks Concert Series.

— sandy guerra-cline, star-telegram, "Concerts in the Garden is back and other things to do in DFW this week," 29 May 2018
Here are just a few interesting things to look for: An elaborate turquoise birdcage, a throwback to the humor of the proverbial old lady who slowed down people boarding a train with a hatbox in one hand and her precious pet in the other.

— domenica bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star, "Don't miss your flight looking at this cool vintage luggage at the Indianapolis Airport," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throwback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of throwback

1888

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

See Words from the same year

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throw back

verb

Definition of throw 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

Recent Examples of throw back from the Web

Magrisi had thrown back-to-back shutouts against the Mavericks, allowing just seven hits with one walk and 23 strikeouts in racking up 14 of his 51 consecutive scoreless innings.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Record-setting Torrey Pines pitcher swings the bat, too," 23 May 2018
Jeimer Candelario threw to John Hicks at first, who threw back to Candelario to nab the runner attempting to go first-to-third.

— anthony fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers lose on walk-off home run at Texas Rangers, 5-4 (10 inn.)," 9 May 2018
But the similarities don’t really matter much when the band is tight, the energy is high, and the audience is throwing back beers.

— courtney devores, charlotteobserver, "Beck cranks out high-energy funk – with a touch of introspection – in Charlotte show | Charlotte Observer," 30 Apr. 2018
At the same time, U.S. sanctions against top Russian business executives wiped billions of dollars off Russian stock market values this week, prompting fears the country’s already stagnant economy could be thrown back into recession.

— anton troianovski, Washington Post, "Kremlin backers warn of threat of war with U.S. as Syria tensions rise," 10 Apr. 2018
Kara Paquin looped a popup in front of Patriacca and Taglieri beat the throw back to the plate for a 1-0 lead.

— brandan blom, BostonGlobe.com, "Braintree softball tames Newton North," 5 May 2018
Pitching lower-strength brews might seem strange in a country that named a lager after Bob Hawke, a former prime minister and speed drinking champion, and where throwing back beers is de rigueur for watching sports or backyard barbecues.

— angus whitley, Bloomberg.com, "Young Australians Are Driving a Weaker Beer Boom," 2 May 2018
But Tillman then struck out Nicholas Castellanos after falling behind 2-1, throwing back-to-back changeups that the outfielder swung through.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Tillman tosses seven scoreless, one-hit innings as Orioles end skid with 6-0 win over Tigers," 27 Apr. 2018
But who’s going to feel like nodding off, or slump into terminal angst, when Mr. Wolfe has filled the stage with such delectably seasoned hams, who lap up limelight the way their characters throw back booze?

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: In an Energized ‘Iceman,’ the Drinks are on Denzel," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'throw back.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of throw back

1840

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

THROWBACK Defined for English Language Learners

throwback

noun

Definition of throwback for English Language Learners

: a person or thing that is similar to someone or something from the past or that is suited to an earlier time

Medical Dictionary

throwback

noun throw·back \ ˈthrō-ˌbak \

medical Definition of throwback

1 : reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism

2 : an instance or product of atavistic reversion

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throwback

Definition of throwback

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First Known Use of throwback

throw back

Definition of throw back

Recent Examples of throw back from the Web

First Known Use of throw back

THROWBACK Defined for English Language Learners

throwback

Definition of throwback for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

throwback

medical Definition of throwback

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throw back

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THROWBACK Defined for English Language Learners

throwback

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throwback

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