as in fogey
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 throw back
Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
But Swift’s work with Jack Antonoff slipped into a too-reliable throwback synth-pop aesthetic that doesn’t feel fresh after years of iterations and imitations.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
This was a popular style of architecture across Europe in the late 1800 and early 1900’s, a throwback to Greek and Roman classicism.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Despite the mini hiccup, the solo trip was a throwback to his childhood travels.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throw back
Verb
In this throwback to ’80s slasher movies, AHS veterans Roberts, Lourd, Fern, Rabe, McDermott, and Leslie Grossman join a cast of newcomers, including Matthew Morrison and scene-stealer Angelica Ross.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Oct. 2025
But Swift’s work with Jack Antonoff slipped into a too-reliable throwback synth-pop aesthetic that doesn’t feel fresh after years of iterations and imitations.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
This was a popular style of architecture across Europe in the late 1800 and early 1900’s, a throwback to Greek and Roman classicism.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Despite the mini hiccup, the solo trip was a throwback to his childhood travels.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throw back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw back
Verb
-
One such star who is already confirmed to return is Kittle.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
-
According to Netflix, Emma Hernan, Chrishell, Chelsea Lazkani, Alanna Gold, Mary Bonnet, Amanza Smith, and Bre Tiesi are among those returning, in addition to brokers Jason and Brett Oppenheim.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Old fogey-ish, ungrateful and stupid.—
Katie Hafner,
Scientific American,
10 Sep. 2025
-
These are people who know AI and have grown up with this stuff that these old fogies haven't.—
Alison Snyder,
Axios,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
However, compared to his older stepbrothers, his net worth falls a little bit short.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The event is sponsored by the Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society and features 30 dealers with minerals, gemstones, jewelry, fossils and unusual gifts.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The stomach mass within the fossil contained some fish-like and cephalopod pieces, Massare said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hoyer declined to speculate on whether the major-league payroll would receive a boost after Wrigley Field hosted two playoff rounds.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The sentiment has affected Gulf IPOs, which are expected to decline to their lowest level since 2021.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
California’s vulnerable House Republicans are a diverse gaggle that includes new blood and old-timers, a Trump antagonist and a Trump lickspittle.—
Michelle Cottle,
Mercury News,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The old-timer included, well, an old-timer, a fella in overalls with his forearm resting on a barrel.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When leaders of any kind stop appealing to the common advantage and instead become motivated by self-interest, their government degenerates: Monarchy, for example, becomes tyranny, without so much as a handshake.—
Zephyr Teachout,
The Atlantic,
22 Sep. 2025
-
In the Pacific, meteorologists are watching to see how much rain the degenerating Tropical Storm Mario could carry into the San Diego region.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
DiCaprio makes a great, vital has-been, squinting at the horrors around him in disbelief, but mostly, driven by the need to protect his child.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
18 Sep. 2025
-
And as alcoholic has-been Morris, Matthau was fantastically slovenly and cynical, an anti–role model for the ages.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Throw back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw%20back. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share