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
1
: the quality or state of being retroactive
2
: the capacity of a bacterial agent in biological warfare to react upon the user
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
Adjective
They all received a retroactive pay raise.
The new tax will be retroactive to January 1.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ilana Arougheti
june 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
He was placed on the IL retroactive to June 9 with a bone bruise in his left knee.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Draymond Green got tangled with LeBron James and hit him in the groin, later earning Green a retroactive flagrant foul and an avoidable suspension for Game 5.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2026
However, Gustin received $50,000 as retroactive support.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
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Adjective
Over the last seven months, LeVota has proposed a series of tax policies intended to reverse or overwrite damages from the 2023 property tax cycle, including a retroactive 15% cap on residential property values from 2023.
—Ilana Arougheti
june 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
He was placed on the IL retroactive to June 9 with a bone bruise in his left knee.
—Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Draymond Green got tangled with LeBron James and hit him in the groin, later earning Green a retroactive flagrant foul and an avoidable suspension for Game 5.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2026
However, Gustin received $50,000 as retroactive support.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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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