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
Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
His latest collaboration with Soderbergh, a cat-and-mouse story about a married pair of spies, is a throwback in many ways—but its observations about the intrusive nature of espionage work on their lives feel sharply contemporary.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
He’s thrown back into his assassin past when Rose, his vengeful former partner-in-crime, played by Ariana DeBose, re-emerges.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla, a free DLC released in late 2023, was a surprising throwback to a more classic foundation.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
His latest collaboration with Soderbergh, a cat-and-mouse story about a married pair of spies, is a throwback in many ways—but its observations about the intrusive nature of espionage work on their lives feel sharply contemporary.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
Catcher Brett Sullivan’s back-pick got away from Trenton Brooks at first base and minor leaguer Jake Snider’s throw back into the infield from right field was also errant.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
He’s thrown back into his assassin past when Rose, his vengeful former partner-in-crime, played by Ariana DeBose, re-emerges.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Articles Related to throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 25 Mar. 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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