retroactive

American  

[re-troh-ak-tiv] / ˌrɛ troʊˈæk tɪv /

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.

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retroactive British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of retroactive

First recorded in 1605–15; retro- + active

Example Sentences

Given the repeated warnings states have received about this issue, one might ask why CMS hasn’t insisted on enforcing the new restrictions retroactive to the enactment of the Big Beautiful Bill in July.

From The Wall Street Journal

The law also extended the time for filing itemized claims to at least 100 days, up from just two months, but it was not retroactive.

From Los Angeles Times

Hong Kong authorities say that the national security law has no retroactive effect.

From Barron's

Attorney David Lesperance says he has helped four wealthy clients to leave California already, anticipating the tax could be retroactive to Dec. 31, 2025.

From Barron's

In this case, the trust should bear costs incurred to generate rental income for your mother’s care, with any advance by one beneficiary treated explicitly as a reimbursable expense rather than a retroactive price reduction.

From MarketWatch