plural anachronisms
1
: something (such as a word, an object, or an event) that is mistakenly placed in a time where it does not belong in a story, movie, etc.
The novel is full of anachronisms.
2
: a person or a thing that seems to belong to the past and not to fit in the present
He's an old-fashioned politician who is seen by many of his colleagues as an anachronism.
Cite this Entry
“Anachronism.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/anachronism. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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