mossback

Definition of mossbacknext
as in conservative
a person with old-fashioned ideas those mossbacks at the intelligence agency didn't get the memo that the world had changed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mossback This man performed in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Assumed all parts from mossbacks to boys young. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mossback
Noun
  • Six Supreme Court justices were there—only the conservatives.
    Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
  • But other conservatives, including Senator Ted Cruz, objected to the heavy hand of government approach.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.
    Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Two Patriots veteran free-agent additions, outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, addressed the media on Thursday as the offseason workout program wrapped up for the week.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Finding Something That Generally Doesn’t Fossilize Octopuses are notoriously difficult to study in the fossil record because their bodies are almost entirely soft tissue.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026
  • So a creature like an octopus — which is made up of almost entirely soft tissue — has been harder to come by in the fossil record.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • There’s no old fogey-ness to Lorne.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
  • For the benefit of us old fogies?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mossback.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mossback. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster