Definition of mossbacknext
as in conservative
a person with old-fashioned ideas those mossbacks at the intelligence agency didn't get the memo that the world had changed

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of mossback This man performed in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Assumed all parts from mossbacks to boys young. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mossback
Noun
  • Spain’s government lost two parliamentary votes to ratify emergency housing measures after Catalan separatists joined conservatives and the far right in opposition.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Even before the announcement, Carnegie Mellon had growing ties to Florida, a state where conservatives have increased their influence on higher education.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Graeme Sloan | Bloomberg | Getty Images Prediction market exchange Polymarket has hired a near three-decade Goldman Sachs veteran to help lead its push to attract Wall Street liquidity.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This year’s recipients were selected by a committee comprising Lee, veteran filmmaker Yoji Yamada, cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa and TIFF Programming Director Shozo Ichiyama.
    — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The outcome of the case could impact scores of similar lawsuits brought by states and localities against fossil-fuel producers alleging violations of state law.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Along with So, Kohlberg and Sefcovic are all part of a lab group run by Arjan Mann, the Field’s assistant curator of fossil fishes and early tetrapods in the Negaunee Integrative Research Center.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mossback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mossback. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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