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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.

See Examples For:

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 22, 2026

In the 2022–2023 session, a version of the bill with retroactivity passed with nearly unanimous support, giving Oklahoma the opportunity to become the second state after New York to enact such a law.

From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2024

“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

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