retrospection
noun
ret·ro·spec·tion
ˌre-trə-ˈspek-shən 
: the act or process or an instance of surveying the past
Synonyms
Examples of retrospection in a Sentence
This is a time of retrospection for many people.
the president is confident that future retrospections will cast his actions in a more favorable light
Recent Examples on the Web
Madonna has marketed her tour as a celebration and retrospection of her career, and she’s played a lot of her classic hits from the ’80s.
—
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
Might not such retrospection reopen old wounds and revive old, murderous struggles?
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Rosy retrospection highlights our strengths and abilities to overcome obstacles, reminding us that difficult times are often temporary.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
This year, the paradigm shifted from the wishfully apocalyptic to the pessimistically archeological: my favorite shows were full of retrospection and weird rituals from a post-collapse civilization, and as dark as grave dirt.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024
But in Thompson’s comments — and surely inn the conversation with Kerr that preceded them — there was just as much retrospection as introspection.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024
Madonna has marketed her tour as a celebration and retrospection of her career, and she’s played a lot of her classic hits from the ‘80s.
—Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
Republican primary voters do not seem eager to engage in a critical retrospection on Trump’s last, worst year in office.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024
By contrast, retrospection has played a blessedly small part in the emotional legend of Ethan Hunt.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023
Devon Ivie, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
Might not such retrospection reopen old wounds and revive old, murderous struggles?
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
Rosy retrospection highlights our strengths and abilities to overcome obstacles, reminding us that difficult times are often temporary.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
This year, the paradigm shifted from the wishfully apocalyptic to the pessimistically archeological: my favorite shows were full of retrospection and weird rituals from a post-collapse civilization, and as dark as grave dirt.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024
But in Thompson’s comments — and surely inn the conversation with Kerr that preceded them — there was just as much retrospection as introspection.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024
Madonna has marketed her tour as a celebration and retrospection of her career, and she’s played a lot of her classic hits from the ‘80s.
—Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024
Republican primary voters do not seem eager to engage in a critical retrospection on Trump’s last, worst year in office.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024
By contrast, retrospection has played a blessedly small part in the emotional legend of Ethan Hunt.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retrospection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near retrospection
Cite this Entry
“Retrospection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrospection. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retrospection
noun
ret·ro·spec·tion
ˌre-trə-ˈspek-shən
1
: the act or power of recalling the past
2
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