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Synonyms

throwback

American  
[throh-bak] / ˈθroʊˌbæk /

noun

  1. Biology.

    1. the reversion to an ancestral or earlier type or character; atavism.

    2. an individual having the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type; an example of atavism.

  2. a person or thing that evokes memories or imitates something from the past (often used attributively): On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.

    These chandeliers are designed as a throwback to those old-style candlelit lanterns.

    On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.

  3. an act of throwing back.

    A sudden ban on fish throwbacks could harm ecosystems, since a range of predator species are reliant on discarded fish as a food source.

  4. a setback or check.

throwback British  
/ ˈθrəʊˌbæk /

noun

    1. a person, animal, or plant that has the characteristics of an earlier or more primitive type

    2. a reversion to such an organism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to revert to an earlier or more primitive type

  2. to force to depend (on)

    the crisis threw her back on her faith in God
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of throwback

First recorded in 1855–60; 1915–20 throwback for def. 1; noun use of verb phrase throw back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Warm and insightful, “Fantasy Life” is a low-key throwback to the talky city-dweller comedies of Nicole Holofcener and Noah Baumbach.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Appearing in neutral tones like khaki and beige, the looks were a throwback to the grunge-inspired styles of the 90s.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the market’s throwback benchmark, did indeed touch a new high that day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

In a throwback to the 1990s, Ben Affleck returns for donut brand Dunkin' alongside Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc and Jason Alexander.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

I haven’t looked at this picture in almost twelve years: it’s a throwback to the worst day of my life.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.