retrospect

[re-truh-spekt]

noun

1. contemplation of the past; a survey of past time, events, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to look back in thought; refer back (often followed byto ).

   to retrospect to a period in one's youth.

verb (used with object)

1. to look back upon; contemplate retrospectively.

retrospect

/ ˈrɛtrəʊˌspɛkt /

noun

1. the act of surveying things past (often in the phrase in retrospect )

verb

1. to contemplate (anything past); look back on (something)

2. to refer

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrospect¹

1595–1605; probably retro- + (pro)spect

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrospect¹

C17: from Latin retrōspicere to look back, from _retro- + specere to look

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in retrospect, in looking back on past events; upon reflection.

   It was, in retrospect, the happiest day of her life.

Example Sentences

This self-serving quotation has the ring of a memory fashioned in retrospect.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"In retrospect, I can see that being Scottish and having the working class upbringing I had was a big bonus for me in many ways," says Caton-Jones.

Read more on BBC

In retrospect, they say, it was also too frightening to contemplate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In retrospect, suggesting that James couldn’t adapt to a new role might have sold him short.

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In retrospect, that shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• hindsight