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
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
With a private terrace and a rooftop gazebo overlooking landscaped gardens and the distant Ganga Valley, staying at the Viceregal Suite is a throwback to India’s regal glory.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Just before midnight, the masterful mashup duo, Loud Luxury took the stage with a rapid-fire mashup set that jumped between throwbacks and club anthems in unexpected combinations.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2026
The implications of that tone, and the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, were that Reid was embracing something between a throwback tour and the status quo.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
The trio favor a clean, uncluttered sound that’s reminiscent of ’90s country without being designed as a throwback.
—Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 20 Mar. 2026
With a private terrace and a rooftop gazebo overlooking landscaped gardens and the distant Ganga Valley, staying at the Viceregal Suite is a throwback to India’s regal glory.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026
Just before midnight, the masterful mashup duo, Loud Luxury took the stage with a rapid-fire mashup set that jumped between throwbacks and club anthems in unexpected combinations.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2026
The implications of that tone, and the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator, were that Reid was embracing something between a throwback tour and the status quo.
—Kansas City Star, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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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