as in wistful
showing or evoking a longing for an often idealized past
Her grandfather was nostalgic about the 'good old days'. a nostalgic film about the 1960s
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Recent Examples of nostalgic
The festival gave guests 21 and older — who were encouraged to wear winter attire in blues and whites — an opportunity to visit a tarot card reader, play nostalgic carnival games, sip craft beer, snack on gourmet bites, browse a build-your-own flower bar and participate in a live auction.
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Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Pros love honey oak for its warm, nostalgic feel, made modern with matte finishes.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
The high-rise, straight-leg fit feels nostalgic in the best way, but still comfortable enough for long days of walking, sightseeing, and sitting on planes.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These recipes, nostalgic as well as filling, are like a walk down memory lane with every bite.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Pros love honey oak for its warm, nostalgic feel, made modern with matte finishes.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
The high-rise, straight-leg fit feels nostalgic in the best way, but still comfortable enough for long days of walking, sightseeing, and sitting on planes.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These recipes, nostalgic as well as filling, are like a walk down memory lane with every bite.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostalgic
wistful
Adjective
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Over his long career, Robert Duvall brought a wide range of characters to life, from tough Marines to wistful, tender-hearted cowboys.—
Glen Weldon,
NPR,
16 Feb. 2026
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Through Van Der Beek’s wistful performance, viewers were given a window through which to grapple with betrayal, death, heartbreak and a litany of bad decisions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nostalgic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostalgic. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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