retroactively

American  

[re-troh-ak-tiv-lee] / ˌrɛ troʊˈæk tɪv li /

adverb

1. in a way that includes or refers to events that happened before the relevant rule, decision, or other measure came into effect.

   One other state has just passed a Racial Justice Act, but it doesn’t allow any of the inmates now on death row to file claims retroactively.

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Other Word Forms

• nonretroactively adverb
• unretroactively adverb

Etymology

Origin of retroactively

retroactive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

He has declared vast areas "state land", and claims to have approved or retroactively authorised 69 new settlements.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon added that he also asked Altman to apply these changes retroactively and to review previous incidents that may have been referred to law enforcement for further investigation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

A business cannot retroactively place orders it canceled.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

Union members are currently working under the terms of a contract that expired on June 30, 2025 so the first year’s raise would apply retroactively to the current school year.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2026

Unfortunately, this theory would also retroactively outlaw choreograph, diagnose, resurrect, edit, sculpt, sleepwalk, and hundreds of other verbs that have become completely unexceptionable.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker