as in wistful
showing or evoking a longing for an often idealized past
Her grandfather was nostalgic about the 'good old days'. a nostalgic film about the 1960s
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Recent Examples of nostalgic
The festival gave guests 21 and older — who were encouraged to wear winter attire in blues and whites — an opportunity to visit a tarot card reader, play nostalgic carnival games, sip craft beer, snack on gourmet bites, browse a build-your-own flower bar and participate in a live auction.
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Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Pros love honey oak for its warm, nostalgic feel, made modern with matte finishes.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
The high-rise, straight-leg fit feels nostalgic in the best way, but still comfortable enough for long days of walking, sightseeing, and sitting on planes.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These recipes, nostalgic as well as filling, are like a walk down memory lane with every bite.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Point Loma-Ob Monthly, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Pros love honey oak for its warm, nostalgic feel, made modern with matte finishes.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
The high-rise, straight-leg fit feels nostalgic in the best way, but still comfortable enough for long days of walking, sightseeing, and sitting on planes.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These recipes, nostalgic as well as filling, are like a walk down memory lane with every bite.
—Mary Alice Russell, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostalgic
wistful
Adjective
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This is four hours of wistful football flair and drama.—
Bee staff
February 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Based on the devastating dystopian novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro, this wistful drama explores the lives of Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth, three friends who grow up at a boarding school.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nostalgic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostalgic. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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