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Retroactive
Relating to or applying to events that have already occurred; taking effect from a date in the past.
adjective💡
Imagine This
Imagine a policy announced today that applies to last year's tax returns, as if yesterday's decisions could rewrite the past.
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Sounds Like
Sounds like: reh-truh-AK-tiv
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Looks Like
Looks like: retro + active
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Remember This
Retroactive combines retro- (backward) with -ive (forming an adjective). It often appears with laws, pay, or benefits that affect the past.
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Other Forms
retroactivelyadverb
retroactivitynoun
retroactivenessnoun
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Connect With
retrospective, backdate, ex post facto, backdated
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Note
Use retroactive to describe actions that affect the past. For actions describing the manner of applying to the past, the adverb retroactively is appropriate.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The company granted retroactive pay raises, dating back to January 1.
- The tax law is retroactive, applying to last year's filings.
Synonyms
retrospectivebackdatedapplied retroactivelyex post facto
Antonyms
prospectiveforward-lookingfuture-oriented
Etymology
From Latin retro- meaning 'backward' + actus meaning 'done' (from the verb agere). The suffix -ive forms an adjective indicating a state or quality.
Mnemonic
RetroACTIVE = acting backwards in time; remember that 'retro' means backward and 'active' means doing, so something that acts in the past.
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Orthodox
adjectiveTraditional; conforming to established beliefs or practices, especially in religion or academia.
Averse
adjectiveHaving a strong dislike or opposition to something; unwilling to do or engage in it.
Propensity
nounA natural inclination or tendency to behave in a particular way; a predisposition.
Similar Words
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Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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