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

Explanation

Things done retroactively take effect starting on a date in the past. If your boss pays you retroactively, she'll cover hours you worked in the past as well as the ones you're working today. If your water bill lists higher rates, and also announces that the new fees apply retroactively to January first, that means you already owe the water company extra money for past months. And if a musician becomes popular retroactively, it means that albums released years ago are just starting to be listened to in great numbers. Retroactively comes from the French rétroactif, "casting back," from the Latin roots retro-, "back," and agere, "to set in motion."

Example Sentences

Still, Gao Zhen's case is remarkable – not only because he is seemingly being punished retroactively, but also because, as Johnson points out, Zhen "did not directly criticise the Communist Party, let alone Xi Jinping".

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Armed with a so-called super-majority of more than two-thirds of seats in parliament, he also plans retroactively to limit the number of terms a prime minister can serve to two.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

However, the company said that pressure from the suspension of value-added-tax refunds, which will be retroactively applied, for onshore wind projects could weigh on the renewables segment this year, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

A business cannot retroactively place orders it canceled.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

“Thusly, I have decided that these new costs will be retroactively added to the current outstanding balance on your indenture contract.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray