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

If it passes, it would retroactively apply to billionaires who were residents of the state on Jan. 1, 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

A “hotchpot clause” in your will ensures fairness by effectively deducting the advance gifts from their inheritance share, retroactively calculating what each heir has already received.

From MarketWatch

The FCC decision doesn’t cover models currently in stores or already purchased—although the commission does have the ability to retroactively add older models to its list of barred equipment.

From The Wall Street Journal

That was above the consensus estimate and higher than September’s 4.4% rate—the last recorded level since October data couldn’t be produced retroactively.

From Barron's

There was no October jobless rate as officials were unable to retroactively collect data after the shutdown, which lasted until November 12.

From Barron's