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

retrieve, retriever, retro, retro-, retro-operative, retroact, retroaction, retroactive, retroactive inhibition, retrobulbar, 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