as in fogy
a person or thing that is similar to someone or something from the past or that is suited to an earlier time
—usually + to
She's a throwback to the actresses of the 1950s. The band's music is a throwback to the 1980s.
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Recent Examples of throwback
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The sports journalist celebrated their third anniversary in an Instagram post featuring a throwback photo from their wedding.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The first day of preparation practices for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets was a throwback for most Lakers players.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Kylie Jenner has officially declared this Coachella to be all about the Y2K throwbacks.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Noun
This event doubles as a sneak peek of the Build Bronzeville initiative’s ongoing revitalization of the venue, with live music, historical throwbacks and bites from the forthcoming Forum Café.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The sports journalist celebrated their third anniversary in an Instagram post featuring a throwback photo from their wedding.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
The first day of preparation practices for their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets was a throwback for most Lakers players.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 14 Apr. 2026
Kylie Jenner has officially declared this Coachella to be all about the Y2K throwbacks.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwback
Noun
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For the benefit of us old fogies?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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Now the 10% is for stubborn old fogies who refuse to change their ways and try something new.—
Chris McKeown,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The meeting comes amid a busy week for Sánchez, who just returned from meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, his fourth trip to Beijing in just over three years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Jarrelle Augustine, 28, allegedly stole expensive sets, such as Star Wars and Marvel, and sealed up the Lego boxes before returning them to the stores for refunds, according to the Irvine Police Department.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Geology lovers will discover 425-million-year-old shale and limestone rocks filled with a plethora of marine fossils from when Indiana was covered by a shallow sea.—
Joie Probst,
Midwest Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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There's a dazzling cigar lounge and bar, both conceived by none other than hotel designer of the moment, Martin Brudnizki (of Annabel’s; Fouquets; and Fifth Avenue Hotel fame); a sleek omakase restaurant; and even a 4,000-year-old fossil parked unassumingly outside a set of toilets (not kidding).—
Divia Thani,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cortisol levels fell for both groups, according to the study.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Put simply, prices must fall still further in these metros for shoppers to cover the monthly nut.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The housing tide is shifting, and for now, the edge has gone to the stodgy old-timers.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
In the last few months, six people have moved into the town, most of them relatives of the old-timers.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After reviewing the case, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Draper City Prosecutor have declined to file charges against Paul, citing insufficient evidence to prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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The California Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 15, declined to hear Eastman’s appeal of a lower court ruling recommending his disbarment, essentially certifying that recommendation.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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When her estranged daughter unexpectedly moves into their crumbling Manhattan townhouse, the TV has-been is confronted with the one role she’s spent her entire life avoiding: motherhood.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last fall, a Krousty Sabaïdi giveaway promoted by popular French influencer Fares Salvatore, who has more than 868,000 followers on TikTok, degenerated into mayhem when the call-out attracted 3,000 teenagers.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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But in general, any organic media is going to start degenerating over time, and the pH is going to be higher.—
Ryan Conner,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwback. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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