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
ABC News, 17 May 2026
On Brosnan's 73rd birthday, May 16, 2026, look back at their sweetest throwback photos.
—John Russell, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
An affectionate throwback to overly earnest TV movies (and a knowing send-up of over-the-top bad-girl flicks), this film marks the feature debut as writer-director for comedian John Early, who also stars.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Noun
Earlier this month, Meghan also celebrated Archie's seventh birthday by sharing a series of family photos on Instagram, including throwback images of Harry holding Archie as a baby and another showing Archie and Lilibet walking together on a beach.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
On Brosnan's 73rd birthday, May 16, 2026, look back at their sweetest throwback photos.
—John Russell, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
An affectionate throwback to overly earnest TV movies (and a knowing send-up of over-the-top bad-girl flicks), this film marks the feature debut as writer-director for comedian John Early, who also stars.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwback
Noun
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There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
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For the benefit of us old fogies?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Atkinson, who was Providence’s only returning starter from last season, has been thrilled about Webb stepping up and being another senior leader on a young team.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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And yet, there were several strategic surprises in how the networks, in particular, plan to roll out their new and returning series.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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There are a total of 13 fossil Pokémon featured in the exhibition.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Sharks like the frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), that look less like an animal and more like a fossil that had accidentally wandered into the modern world with its eel-like body and rows of needle-like teeth that sit exposed in a permanent grin.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Trees with root problems and those near sidewalks or drives are the first to fall too.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
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But while our bodies can develop immunity to viruses, even the savviest of travelers can fall victim to pickpockets on their travels.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Noun
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For every grousing old-timer who felt that Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was contaminating the genre came another who expressed sheer joy that such a show even existed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Some bargain hunters poked around, while a handful of old-timers walked the halls for exercise.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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McGrail says Janet declined and put an end to the evening.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 May 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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Macron’s highest aspirations to, as a modern Talleyrand, inject himself and solve global issues such as Ukraine, Africa’s Sahel, Syria, Lebanon, or Iran have fallen short, degenerated into petty feuds, or backfired.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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McFarland found the items inside a degenerating family trunk.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwback. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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