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
Resist the urge to dig into your partner’s past relationships…
Even if there's no reason to doubt their loyalty, retroactive jealousy (an unhealthy obsession with their previous romantic relationships) can still creep in.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
Penelope scrolls through her profile somewhat quickly, so a viewer might miss the timestamp of the post and subsequently interpret the information of her parents’ deaths to be retroactive.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Zombie mortgages — which are effectively second mortgages that homeowners had thought were settled — can cause some serious problems, from retroactive interest and racked up late fees to debt collections and possible foreclosure.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 4 July 2024
Although the current master contract was extended through that date, every member will receive a retroactive payment dating back to Oct. 1 if a new contract gets put in place.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retroactive 
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Jenna Ryu, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024
Penelope scrolls through her profile somewhat quickly, so a viewer might miss the timestamp of the post and subsequently interpret the information of her parents’ deaths to be retroactive.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024
Zombie mortgages — which are effectively second mortgages that homeowners had thought were settled — can cause some serious problems, from retroactive interest and racked up late fees to debt collections and possible foreclosure.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 4 July 2024
Although the current master contract was extended through that date, every member will receive a retroactive payment dating back to Oct. 1 if a new contract gets put in place.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retroactive
Dictionary Entries Near retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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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