Meaning & use
retroactively
Last updated
Meanings
adverbnot comparableformallegal
In a way that covers a time before now, so the change applies to what already happened.
Grammar: Often after a verb: applied retroactively.
Patterns
- apply retroactively
- pay retroactively
The raise was applied retroactively to January.
The law cannot be enforced retroactively.
adverbnot comparable
Looking back after the event, changing how it is seen.
Grammar: Often at the start of a sentence.
Retroactively, the warning signs seem obvious.
He retroactively justified his decision.
Common combinations
- apply retroactively
- The rule will apply retroactively.
- effective retroactively
- The change is effective retroactively.
- retroactively approved
- The expense was retroactively approved.
- pay retroactively
- They paid the staff retroactively.
Synonyms and how they differ
- retrospectively
- Focuses on looking back, often about judgment.
- backdated
- A plain adjective for a date set earlier.
Opposites
Word family
- retroactive adjective
- affecting the past
- retroactivity noun
- the quality of reaching back
Commonly confused: retroactively or retrospectively?
retroactively vs retrospectively
Retrospectively means looking back; retroactively means applying to the past.
Practice
The new tax rule applies ___, so it covers last year's income too.
Choose one answer.
Retroactively means covering earlier time. Prospectively means from now on.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “retroactively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.