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
Brendan Le, People.com, 10 June 2025
The profession instantly sparks thoughts of a cute Jane Austen throwback, but one of the distinguishing qualities of Materialists is the way that Song, who worked at a dating agency while getting her theater career off the ground, treats it as a real job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Paradise Records, which Logic also stars in as small-town record store owner Cooper (among other cameos), is a throwback to the record store 1990s comedies of yore, read Empire Records and High Fidelity.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 June 2025
The music was handled by DJ Citizen Jane, an openly gay DJ who kept the dance floor full with a mix of Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar, and throwbacks from the 2010s.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
Hosted by Kevin Hart, this year's edition of the BET Awards featured flashy performances, beloved throwbacks and poignant tributes to legends past and present.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 10 June 2025
The profession instantly sparks thoughts of a cute Jane Austen throwback, but one of the distinguishing qualities of Materialists is the way that Song, who worked at a dating agency while getting her theater career off the ground, treats it as a real job.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Paradise Records, which Logic also stars in as small-town record store owner Cooper (among other cameos), is a throwback to the record store 1990s comedies of yore, read Empire Records and High Fidelity.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 June 2025
The music was handled by DJ Citizen Jane, an openly gay DJ who kept the dance floor full with a mix of Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar, and throwbacks from the 2010s.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 1 June 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 17 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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