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definitions

retroact

[ re-troh-akt ]
/ ˈrɛ troʊˌækt /
|

verb (used without object)

to act in opposition; react.
to have reference to or influence on past occurrences.

Nearby words

  1. retrieve,
  2. retriever,
  3. retro,
  4. retro-,
  5. retro-operative,
  6. retroaction,
  7. retroactive,
  8. retroactive inhibition,
  9. retrobulbar,
  10. retrobulbar anesthesia

Origin of retroact

First recorded in 1785–95; retro- + act
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for retroact

  • The concentric is the passive state, for when one experiences a deep emotion, he must retroact.

    Delsarte System of Oratory|Various

  • In all such eases, odd as it may sound, our judgment may actually be said to retroact and to enrich the past.

    The Meaning of Truth|William James
British Dictionary definitions for retroact

retroact

/ (ˈrɛtrəʊˌækt) /

verb (intr)

to act in opposition
to influence or have reference to past events
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