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 Novak
3
: reflect
: to revert to an earlier type or phase
Examples of throwback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 This throwback furniture category has come a long way since its 18th-century heyday. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026 John Stamos posted this epic throwback on Instagram, which just goes to show that once a heartthrob, always a heartthrob. —Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 The event felt like a throwback to the glitzy, lavish Hollywood premieres that used to take over the town every weekend, but have become scarce since the film business suffered a series of blows that have led to lots of belt-tightening. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
To celebrate, his daughter Lorraine Nicholson shared a tribute on Instagram stories, dazzling fans with a throwback photo and a peek into her father’s life now. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026 This throwback furniture category has come a long way since its 18th-century heyday. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026 John Stamos posted this epic throwback on Instagram, which just goes to show that once a heartthrob, always a heartthrob. —Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026 The event felt like a throwback to the glitzy, lavish Hollywood premieres that used to take over the town every weekend, but have become scarce since the film business suffered a series of blows that have led to lots of belt-tightening. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 26 Apr. 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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