as in wistful
showing or evoking a longing for an often idealized past
Her grandfather was nostalgic about the 'good old days'. a nostalgic film about the 1960s
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Recent Examples of nostalgic
The styles seem to appeal to people like me, whose primary lane isn’t guitar-centric music but for whom the alt-rock triggers something nostalgic and poignant (the image of myself at the age of 2 joyously zooming around my family’s home to the Libertines).
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 9 July 2025
Packed with 13g of protein per serving and ready in under seven minutes in the air fryer or heated quickly in the microwave or oven, Mega Dino Nuggets are a perfect nostalgic snack or meal for both kids and kids at heart.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Their ‘drive-in’ movie theater with classic cars and great movies is unique, fun, and nostalgic.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
This is the ideal rental for a group of friends who want their Italian getaway to feel inflected with nostalgic pizzazz.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 9 July 2025
Packed with 13g of protein per serving and ready in under seven minutes in the air fryer or heated quickly in the microwave or oven, Mega Dino Nuggets are a perfect nostalgic snack or meal for both kids and kids at heart.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
Their ‘drive-in’ movie theater with classic cars and great movies is unique, fun, and nostalgic.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
This is the ideal rental for a group of friends who want their Italian getaway to feel inflected with nostalgic pizzazz.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nostalgic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostalgic
wistful
Adjective
-
Fashion trends are in a wistful mood right now, from capri leggings to polka dots—but the see-through shoes might just be the most popular (and fun-loving) revival of the summer.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
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Raised in Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire, Drake was surrounded by music; his mother, Molly, wrote wistful songs in the English parlor tradition, her delicate phrasing later echoed in Nick’s own recordings.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nostalgic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostalgic. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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