throwback
1 of 2noun
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
throw back
2 of 2verb
threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to revert to an earlier type or phase
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Before the Browns’ trip to Carolina for Sunday’s NFL regular-season opener, Newsome stood on the sidelines in a Bernie Kosar throwback jersey to watch Avon’s 42-21 win at Avon Lake in their Southwestern Conference high school football opener. Matt Goul, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 The Bronco Sport, on the other hand, looks more like a modern-day SUV than an old-school throwback. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2022 Bindi Irwin and brother Robert Irwin paid tribute to their late dad with some sweet childhood throwback photos Sunday for Australian Father's Day, which also happened to be the 16th anniversary of the Crocodile Hunter star's death. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2022 New York’s roller discos may have dwindled since the Koch era, but this summer a sparkly throwback called the DiscOasis has materialized at Central Park’s Wollman Rink, complete with mirror balls and Donna Summer anthems. The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 But there’s one throwback feature at Loon Camp that’s pretty tough to beat. Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 16 Aug. 2022 Nick Madrigal had three hits for Chicago in a throwback ballpark a short walk away from the main field for the 1989 movie. Jay Cohen, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2022 The Cincinnati Reds will play the Chicago Cubs tonight at a throwback ballpark in Dyersville, Iowa. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 27 July 2022 Photos show protesters covering their faces with face masks, bandannas and plastic goggles; some picked up tear gas canisters to throw back toward police. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 14 July 2022 Russian forces, having scaled back earlier ambitions for a broad thrust, are advancing by unleashing intense artillery fire and air attacks in limited areas, aiming to throw back Ukrainian defenders. Daniel Michaels, WSJ, 7 June 2022 With Kyle Farmer at first, Fraley sent a fly ball to left that Kwan caught and fired a throw back toward the bag. Joe Noga, cleveland, 12 Apr. 2022 Throwback songs, evoking a certain musical style or era, have been a hallmark of pop music for as long as there’s been pop music to throw back to. Jem Aswad, Variety, 31 Mar. 2022 Landry took the snap and rolled left looking to throw back to his right. Tom Withers, ajc, 21 Nov. 2021 Light bathrooms come ornamented with handmade glass mosaics that throw back the light; luxuriant Acqua di Parma toiletries; and indulgent soaking tubs (some with jacuzzi jets). Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 McKissic slipped out into the right flat with no one around, Heinicke spotted him, and made a daring throw back across the field. Paul Newberry, ajc, 4 Oct. 2021 See More
Noun
The exhibit includes musical bits, interactive pieces and unexpected physical props to get the ol’ throwback machine cranked up. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Sep. 2022 Before the Browns’ trip to Carolina for Sunday’s NFL regular-season opener, Newsome stood on the sidelines in a Bernie Kosar throwback jersey to watch Avon’s 42-21 win at Avon Lake in their Southwestern Conference high school football opener. Matt Goul, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 The Bronco Sport, on the other hand, looks more like a modern-day SUV than an old-school throwback. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2022 Bindi Irwin and brother Robert Irwin paid tribute to their late dad with some sweet childhood throwback photos Sunday for Australian Father's Day, which also happened to be the 16th anniversary of the Crocodile Hunter star's death. Glenn Garner, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2022 New York’s roller discos may have dwindled since the Koch era, but this summer a sparkly throwback called the DiscOasis has materialized at Central Park’s Wollman Rink, complete with mirror balls and Donna Summer anthems. The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2022 But there’s one throwback feature at Loon Camp that’s pretty tough to beat. Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 16 Aug. 2022 Nick Madrigal had three hits for Chicago in a throwback ballpark a short walk away from the main field for the 1989 movie. Jay Cohen, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2022 The Cincinnati Reds will play the Chicago Cubs tonight at a throwback ballpark in Dyersville, Iowa. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2022 Verb
Cordero was going to throw to second to start a double play, lost control of the ball and then turned and made a wild throw back to first that rolled into the dugout. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 27 July 2022 Photos show protesters covering their faces with face masks, bandannas and plastic goggles; some picked up tear gas canisters to throw back toward police. Jessie Yeung, CNN, 14 July 2022 Russian forces, having scaled back earlier ambitions for a broad thrust, are advancing by unleashing intense artillery fire and air attacks in limited areas, aiming to throw back Ukrainian defenders. Daniel Michaels, WSJ, 7 June 2022 With Kyle Farmer at first, Fraley sent a fly ball to left that Kwan caught and fired a throw back toward the bag. Joe Noga, cleveland, 12 Apr. 2022 Throwback songs, evoking a certain musical style or era, have been a hallmark of pop music for as long as there’s been pop music to throw back to. Jem Aswad, Variety, 31 Mar. 2022 Landry took the snap and rolled left looking to throw back to his right. Tom Withers, ajc, 21 Nov. 2021 Light bathrooms come ornamented with handmade glass mosaics that throw back the light; luxuriant Acqua di Parma toiletries; and indulgent soaking tubs (some with jacuzzi jets). Nicole Trilivas, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 McKissic slipped out into the right flat with no one around, Heinicke spotted him, and made a daring throw back across the field. Paul Newberry, ajc, 4 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1883, in the meaning defined at sense 2b
Verb
1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
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
throwback 1 of 2
noun
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. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fogy
- fogey
- fossil
- relic
- dodo
- dinosaur
- old-timer
- has-been
- troglodyte
- mossback
- fuddy-duddy
- stodge
- stick-in-the-mud
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- comer
- rising star
- up-and-comer
throw back
2 of 2verb
as in to return
Synonyms & Similar Words
- return
- fall
- decline
- degenerate
- drop
- worsen
- revert
- retrograde
- lapse
- relapse
- regress
- retrogress
- ebb
- backslide
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- develop
- evolve
- advance
- grow
- progress
- mature
- ripen
- electric current
- electric displacement
- electric double layer
- electric ear
- electric eel
- electric eraser
- electric eye
- electric eyes
- electric fence
- electric field
- electric fire
- electric fish
- electric fluid
- electric furnace
- electric green
- electric guitar
- electric hammer
- electric hygrometer
- electric iron
- electric lamp
- electric light
- electric light bug
- electric lobes
- electric lock
- electric locking