mossback

noun

ˈmȯs-ˌbak How to pronounce mossback (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. conservative
  2. veteran
  3. fossil
  4. fogy
Noun
  • Especially because Quigley’s district contains the lakefront liberal voters who backed Johnson over Paul Vallas in the 2023 runoff election, when the latter struggled to beat back attacks of being a closet conservative.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • The pledge did not immediately satisfy hardline conservatives, who ground operations in the House to a halt last week.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of conservative
Noun
  • Last month, veteran Hollywood producer Roy Lee got three calls in a single day from executives at three different studios.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • In addition, veteran forward Andrew Wiggins’ two-year extension worth $34 million with the Heat also became official on Monday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
Definition of veteran
Noun
  • From otherworldly red rocks to fossil beds and alpine lakes, Nevada’s state parks offer adventures far beyond the Las Vegas Strip.
    — Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • What made the claim misleading was the gap between a transition image and continued fossil expansion.
    — Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of fossil
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
Definition of fogy

Browse Nearby Words

mosques
mossback
mossbacked
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Cite this Entry

“Mossback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mossback. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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