as in philosophical
given to or marked by reflection of the past
Her book takes a retrospective look at the actor's long and distinguished career.
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Recent Examples of retrospective
Anastasiia Stiahailo/Getty Images In this nationwide, retrospective study, researchers compared the incidence of early puberty among children who were exclusively breastfed, formula-fed or mixed-fed during their first four to six months of life.
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Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
But almost any retrospective coverage of anything in football — particularly, it must be said, from the 1990s — is so overwhelmingly positive to the point of delusion.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
While the stenciled edge is a new addition to the design of her books, Lin, who is the subject of a career retrospective exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, has long been interested in the quality of her books, says Ling.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The disgust stems both from that aura of obliviousness and from a retrospective knowledge that the sincerity of late-two-thousands indie music was quickly co-opted into a more commercial version of itself.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrospective
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
But almost any retrospective coverage of anything in football — particularly, it must be said, from the 1990s — is so overwhelmingly positive to the point of delusion.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
While the stenciled edge is a new addition to the design of her books, Lin, who is the subject of a career retrospective exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, has long been interested in the quality of her books, says Ling.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The disgust stems both from that aura of obliviousness and from a retrospective knowledge that the sincerity of late-two-thousands indie music was quickly co-opted into a more commercial version of itself.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrospective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrospective
Adjective
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This focus is not the result of a philosophical bug that’s somehow spread to the brains of city managers everywhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
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This quiz invites you to journey through the golden age of literary sci-fi, where philosophical depth meets speculative wonder.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the end, the 77th Annual Emmy Awards served as both a nostalgic tribute to television’s rich past and a clear testament to its rapidly evolving future.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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These pants combine the comfort of barrel jeans with the nostalgic details of cargo pants, offering a functional and easy-to-wear design.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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By the time the credits roll, Sound of Metal avoids all of the tired clichés that typically come from this sort of low-budget undertaking, and achieves something more introspective and, much like the hardest and most profound journeys in life, unresolved.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The short films came from five countries around the world and showcased uproarious and introspective voices in independent cinema.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In turn, real-time market data from the platform is used to continuously stress-test and refine the underlying analytical architecture.—
Benjamin D. Summers,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Replacing Weir with Ayto — who is 15 years younger and has an analytical background — is part of that process in an environment where data is increasingly driving the club’s player recruitment.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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An amicable run-in with his ex-wife in this episode has the same thoughtful feeling.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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Her solution is to be thoughtful and focused on the right risks and opportunities.—
Jack McCullough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The only difference is that reflective tint is not allowed anywhere on the windshield and can't be more than 35% on the front and rear windows.—
Keenan Thompson,
Freep.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Give that remark a sobering, reflective moment.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retrospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrospective. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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