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
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Cirque Berserk goes hard with the blood and violence in a throwback to the slashers of yore.
—Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
In her videos, the musician can be seen wearing all-black clothes, playing the banjo, throwing back cans of Dr. Pepper, and sometimes speaking directly to the camera about issues such as the boundaries of Appalachia or the war in Gaza.
—G. Samantha Rosenthal, Them, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for throwback 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
In a throwback to the delightful days of John Wooden, UCLA’s practices could be tougher than some of the games.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Cirque Berserk goes hard with the blood and violence in a throwback to the slashers of yore.
—Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
Joan throws back the sparkling wine amid the awkwardness.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
In her videos, the musician can be seen wearing all-black clothes, playing the banjo, throwing back cans of Dr. Pepper, and sometimes speaking directly to the camera about issues such as the boundaries of Appalachia or the war in Gaza.
—G. Samantha Rosenthal, Them, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for throwback
Articles Related to throwback
Dictionary Entries Near throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share