ex post facto

[ eks-pohst fak-toh ]

See synonyms for ex post facto on Thesaurus.com

adverb

from or by subsequent action; retroactively; subsequently; retrospectively.

adjective

having retroactive force; made or done subsequently: an ex post facto law.

Origin of ex post facto

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin: “from a thing done afterward, from what is done afterward”

Words that may be confused with ex post facto

ad hoc, a posteriori, a priori, ex post facto , prima facie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ex post facto in a sentence

NRA defends the constitutional right to something similar, ex post facto.
P.J. O’Rourke: Who Really Actually Wants This Bill of Rights? | P. J. O’Rourke | April 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The caution holds true for those weighing the ex post facto accounts of former presidents.
Bush’s Unanswered 9/11 Questions | Anthony Summers, Robbyn Swan | August 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Now this was a novel experience—having my phone calls monitored, ex post facto, by a livid legislator.
Beware of Snarlin' Arlen | Lloyd Grove | May 7, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Bays and her husband had driven to town, and there was no need for ex post facto resolutions.
A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties | Charles Major
They say the Taupou had a gun and fired; probably an excuse manufactured ex post facto.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25) | Robert Louis Stevenson

Other jurors claimed that they had decided Donnely was guilty, but that was probably an ex post facto switch.
The Penal Cluster | Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)
An ex post facto law was brought in with great precipitation, for annulling this dividend.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. I. (of 12) | Edmund Burke
It would bring a little real militarism into the family and give a kind of ex post facto justification to his ancient title.
Captain Jinks, Hero | Ernest Crosby

British Dictionary definitions for ex post facto

ex post facto

/ (ɛks pəʊst ˈfæktəʊ) /

adjective

having retrospective effect: an ex post facto law

Origin of ex post facto

C17: from Latin ex from + post afterwards + factus done, from facere to do

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

Cultural definitions for ex post facto (1 of 2)

ex post facto

[ (eks pohst fak-toh) ]

An explanation or regulation concocted after the event, sometimes misleading or unjust: “Your ex post facto defense won't stand up in court.” (See ex post facto law.) From Latin, meaning “after the deed.”

ex post facto

[ (eks pohst fak-toh) ]

A descriptive term for an explanation or a law that is made up after an event and then applied to it: “The chairman's description of his plan sounds like an ex post facto attempt to justify an impulsive action.” Ex post facto is Latin for “from after the deed.”

Browse