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

A business cannot retroactively place orders it canceled.

From MarketWatch

The measure would prohibit any state from levying taxes retroactively on individuals who no longer live there.

From Los Angeles Times

But his son was still penalized because, the parent said, he was not allowed to grant permission for his son retroactively.

From Los Angeles Times

And the Supreme Court has held in the context of sovereign immunity that deimmunization applies retroactively.

From The Wall Street Journal

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