throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak 
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
threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back
1
: to delay the progress or advance of : check
2
: to cause to rely : make dependent
they are thrown back upon … native intelligence—
Michael Novak
Michael Novak3
: reflect
: to revert to an earlier type or phase
Examples of throwback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
This quilt is a bit of a Y2K throwback with bold pinks, oranges, and gold thread woven very subtly into the texture.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
That movie is Heart Eyes, what looked like a goofy slasher film, and…is a goofy slasher film, but one that’s a throwback to schlocky classics in a way that’s actually quite fun.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
From K-pop to award-winning series to classic throwbacks and more, here are our top picks to stream all month on Samsung TV Plus, celebrating some of the most beloved AAPI talent.
—Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
The glossy, good-looking production feels like a throwback to French fare from a few decades ago — middlebrow passing for intellectual, mainstream commercial passing for arthouse.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
This quilt is a bit of a Y2K throwback with bold pinks, oranges, and gold thread woven very subtly into the texture.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2025
That movie is Heart Eyes, what looked like a goofy slasher film, and…is a goofy slasher film, but one that’s a throwback to schlocky classics in a way that’s actually quite fun.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
From K-pop to award-winning series to classic throwbacks and more, here are our top picks to stream all month on Samsung TV Plus, celebrating some of the most beloved AAPI talent.
—Lesley O'Toole, Variety, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase
Medical Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
1
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
2
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion
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