retroactive

[re-troh-ak-tiv]

adjective

1. operative with respect to past occurrences, as a statute; retrospective.

   a retroactive law.

2. pertaining to a pay raise effective as of a past date.

retroactive

/ ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. applying or referring to the past

   retroactive legislation

2. effective or operative from a date or for a period in the past

Other Word Forms

• retroactively adverb
• retroactivity noun
• nonretroactive adjective
• nonretroactivity noun
• unretroactive adjective
• retroactiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retroactive¹

First recorded in 1605–15; retro- + active

Example Sentences

The tariff reductions are retroactive to 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, according to the order.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Office of Personnel Management said the office is “committed to ensuring that retroactive pay is provided as soon as possible.”

Read more on MarketWatch

These Democrats know they’re hiding behind their colleagues who voted to reopen, and who at least extracted retroactive pay for federal workers and the rehiring of those terminated during the shutdown.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He said he grew suspicious when someone asked him for a retroactive approval of the order with incoherent documents produced after it was made, and reported this to his superiors.

Read more on Barron's

Air traffic controllers are required to work unpaid when the federal government shuts down and do not obtain retroactive pay until Congress comes to an agreement on a budget.

Read more on Los Angeles Times