retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive
ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv 
: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past
especially
: made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition
retroactive tax
retroactively
adverb
Did you know?
We normally think of time as constantly moving forward. Since retroactive seems to defy time's forward movement, retroactive taxes, laws, and regulations are often seen as particularly obnoxious and unfair. But nobody ever objects to receiving a retroactive raise at work. When we judge historical people and events in terms of present-day morality and attitudes, our retroactive judgments may indicate that we're too impressed with ourselves and ignorant of history.
Examples of retroactive in a Sentence
They all received a retroactive pay raise.
The new tax will be retroactive to January 1.
Recent Examples on the Web
Weaver is on the injured list, retroactive to June 1, with ESPN reporting his timeline to return at four-to-six weeks.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
The very next day, April 10, the Commerce Department informed employees they were being fired once again, retroactive to their original termination dates.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 4 June 2025
For example, some eligible beneficiaries who have recently died may qualify for the lump-sum retroactive payments, Weaver said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 4 June 2025
The good news is that some of the credits would survive the House’s scalpel and none of the changes are retroactive.
—Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
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Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
The very next day, April 10, the Commerce Department informed employees they were being fired once again, retroactive to their original termination dates.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 4 June 2025
For example, some eligible beneficiaries who have recently died may qualify for the lump-sum retroactive payments, Weaver said.
—Lorie Konish, CNBC, 4 June 2025
The good news is that some of the credits would survive the House’s scalpel and none of the changes are retroactive.
—Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive
ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: intended to apply or take effect at a date in the past
a retroactive pay raise
retroactively
adverb
Medical Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive
ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: having relation or reference to or efficacy in a prior time
specifically
: relating to, caused by, or being obliteration of the results of learning by immediately subsequent activity
retroactive inhibition
Legal Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive
ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past
especially
: made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition
a retroactive tax
see also ex post facto law
retroactively
adverb
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