retroact

American  

[re-troh-akt] / ˈrɛ troʊˌækt /

verb (used without object)

1. to act in opposition; react.

2. to have reference to or influence on past occurrences.

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retroact British  

/ ˈrɛtrəʊˌækt /

verb

1. to act in opposition

2. to influence or have reference to past events

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Etymology

Origin of retroact

First recorded in 1785–95; retro- + act

Example Sentences

Retroact, rē-trō-akt′, v.i. to act backward, or in return or opposition, or on something past or preceding.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

To sum up: If instinct did not lead us to retroact, to examine an object unexpectedly offered to our gaze, each surprise would expose us to error.

From Project Gutenberg

Now we must retroact to see an object as a whole and not expose ourselves to error, and then, too, does not the love which a creature inspires within us naturally extend to the medium which surrounds him, and in this way does it not seem as if all that touched him partook of his life and thus acquired some title to our contemplation?

From Project Gutenberg

Contemplation makes the body retroact.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg