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

See Examples For:

retroactively

“Unless we’re going to stop building in these landscapes, and that’s unlikely ... it means we have to start building and retroactively hardening these communities,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

Again, she likely has 60 days to elect COBRA, and once she pays the required premiums, her coverage can be applied retroactively to when her employer coverage ended.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

Even projects that were close to being completed had to be redone to comply retroactively.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

“Because MMA‑specific monitoring was established later in the response, we cannot retroactively measure conditions from earlier in the day on May 21,” the agency said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 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