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
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Schnall fouled Ishbia in the first quarter, and Ishbia hit the free throws in a throwback to his Michigan State playing days.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Villa’s football structure, in many ways, is a throwback.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The Lark Bozeman This Main Street standout boasts a midcentury modern throwback vibe on the outside and a boutique-like warmth on the inside.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
Rubato’s Explorer rollneck is a throwback to an era before technical clothing, when mountaineers and Arctic pioneers had to rely on knitwear.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
Schnall fouled Ishbia in the first quarter, and Ishbia hit the free throws in a throwback to his Michigan State playing days.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Villa’s football structure, in many ways, is a throwback.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The Lark Bozeman This Main Street standout boasts a midcentury modern throwback vibe on the outside and a boutique-like warmth on the inside.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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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