Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for ex post facto

ex post facto

[ eks pohst fak-toh ]

adverb

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


adjective

  1. having retroactive force; made or done subsequently:

    an ex post facto law.

ex post facto

/ ɛks pəʊst ˈfæktəʊ /

adjective

  1. having retrospective effect

    an ex post facto law

“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


ex post facto

1
  1. 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.”


ex post facto

2
  1. 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.”
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex post facto1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex post facto1

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

Example Sentences

NRA defends the constitutional right to something similar, ex post facto.

The caution holds true for those weighing the ex post facto accounts of former presidents.

Now this was a novel experience—having my phone calls monitored, ex post facto, by a livid legislator.

Mrs. Bays and her husband had driven to town, and there was no need for ex post facto resolutions.

They say the Taupou had a gun and fired; probably an excuse manufactured ex post facto.

Other jurors claimed that they had decided Donnely was guilty, but that was probably an ex post facto switch.

An ex post facto law was brought in with great precipitation, for annulling this dividend.

It would bring a little real militarism into the family and give a kind of ex post facto justification to his ancient title.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


ex postex post facto law