as in fogy
a person or thing that is similar to someone or something from the past or that is suited to an earlier time
—usually + to
She's a throwback to the actresses of the 1950s. The band's music is a throwback to the 1980s.
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Recent Examples of throwback
ABC News, 17 May 2026
On Brosnan's 73rd birthday, May 16, 2026, look back at their sweetest throwback photos.
—John Russell, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
An affectionate throwback to overly earnest TV movies (and a knowing send-up of over-the-top bad-girl flicks), this film marks the feature debut as writer-director for comedian John Early, who also stars.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Noun
Earlier this month, Meghan also celebrated Archie's seventh birthday by sharing a series of family photos on Instagram, including throwback images of Harry holding Archie as a baby and another showing Archie and Lilibet walking together on a beach.
—ABC News, 17 May 2026
On Brosnan's 73rd birthday, May 16, 2026, look back at their sweetest throwback photos.
—John Russell, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
This is probably considered a throwback by today's standards, especially on a college campus.
—Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
An affectionate throwback to overly earnest TV movies (and a knowing send-up of over-the-top bad-girl flicks), this film marks the feature debut as writer-director for comedian John Early, who also stars.
—Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throwback
Noun
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There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
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For the benefit of us old fogies?—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Atkinson, who was Providence’s only returning starter from last season, has been thrilled about Webb stepping up and being another senior leader on a young team.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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And yet, there were several strategic surprises in how the networks, in particular, plan to roll out their new and returning series.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Its head and teeth were not among the fossils recovered, but the researchers have a good idea of its feeding preferences based on other sauropods.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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The fossil economy was built on extraction and combustion, where fuels are dug up, shipped, burned and mostly wasted as heat; the electric economy is built on manufacturing, software, grids, devices and efficiency, where technologies improve, scale and connect.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Only two were earned, but they were all deserved after Rodón fell apart in the third frame.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
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Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
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For every grousing old-timer who felt that Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was contaminating the genre came another who expressed sheer joy that such a show even existed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Some bargain hunters poked around, while a handful of old-timers walked the halls for exercise.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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McGrail says Janet declined and put an end to the evening.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
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Schoenbrun’s third feature, Teenage Sex & Death at Camp Miasma stars Einbinder as an enthusiastic young director who is tasked with resurrecting the Camp Miasma slasher franchise after years of subpar sequels and declining fandom.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
Noun
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In the Seventies, he was mocked as a Vegas has-been in a jumpsuit; in the Eighties, as a cultural colonizer.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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When her estranged daughter unexpectedly moves into their crumbling Manhattan townhouse, the TV has-been is confronted with the one role she’s spent her entire life avoiding: motherhood.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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McFarland found the items inside a degenerating family trunk.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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Last fall, a Krousty Sabaïdi giveaway promoted by popular French influencer Fares Salvatore, who has more than 868,000 followers on TikTok, degenerated into mayhem when the call-out attracted 3,000 teenagers.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throwback. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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