throwback

1 of 2

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak How to pronounce throwback (audio)
1
: one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style
his manners were a throwback to a more polite era
2
a
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
b
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion

throw back

2 of 2

verb

threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back

transitive verb

1
: to delay the progress or advance of : check
2
: to cause to rely : make dependent
they are thrown back upon … native intelligenceMichael Novak
3

intransitive verb

: to revert to an earlier type or phase

Examples of throwback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
In a throwback to the delightful days of John Wooden, UCLA’s practices could be tougher than some of the games. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 Cirque Berserk goes hard with the blood and violence in a throwback to the slashers of yore. Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
In her videos, the musician can be seen wearing all-black clothes, playing the banjo, throwing back cans of Dr. Pepper, and sometimes speaking directly to the camera about issues such as the boundaries of Appalachia or the war in Gaza. G. Samantha Rosenthal, Them, 3 Oct. 2024 This case will likely have few repercussions outside of New Hampshire, but to be thrown back to pre-Claremont funding may prove catastrophic for some public schools. Peter Greene, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for throwback 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of throwback was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near throwback

Cite this Entry

“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

throwback

noun
throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak How to pronounce throwback (audio)
: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase

Medical Definition

throwback

noun
throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak How to pronounce throwback (audio)
1
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
2
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion

More from Merriam-Webster on throwback

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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