in retrospect

1. Looking backward, reflecting on the past. For example, In retrospect, he regarded his move as the best thing he'd ever done. This idiom employs retrospect in the sense of “a view of the past.” [Second half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

The sting, in retrospect, is that Hollywood never nominated him for acting again.

From Los Angeles Times

In retrospect, she doesn’t think their lives were truly in danger.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, she writes that her “mantra” about whether Biden should run again—“It’s Joe and Jill’s decision”—was “recklessness” in retrospect.

From Slate

In retrospect, I think it was recklessness.

From Los Angeles Times

"Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness."

From BBC