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retroactivity

American  
[ret-roh-ak-tiv-i-tee] / ˌrɛt roʊˌækˈtɪv ɪ ti /

noun

  1. the state or condition of being retroactive.


Other Word Forms

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Similarly, retroactivity isn’t uncommon, and taxes don’t have to be recurring.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

“Most people would tell you there is a real retroactivity problem there,” said Elizabeth Sepper, a professor of law at the University of Texas at Austin.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2022

Greg Totten, the association’s chief executive, raised concerns with the bill’s retroactivity, and said it would strip from judges and prosecutors the flexibility to apply or remove a strike.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2022

Legislators, in a deal with the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, agreed to nix retroactivity, leaving 64 people with a second-degree robbery strike in prison.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 3, 2021

Gundy claimed that SORNA’s retroactivity provision flunks that test.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2019

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