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

retroactivity

ˌre-trō-ˌak-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

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

The retroactive move is called deferral. —Juliana Kim, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026

Union and School Board members recently approved the contract, which is retroactive to the start of this school year and expires at the end of the 2028-2029 school year. —Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

Readers are always asking me about the possibility of getting retroactive benefits. —Tom Margenau, Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026

The last chance to make retroactive contributions for 2025 is April 15, which is also the federal tax deadline for most filers. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French rétroactif, from Latin retroactus, past participle of retroagere to drive back, reverse, from retro- + agere to drive — more at agent

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for retroactive

• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive
• nonreactive
• overactive
• psychoactive
• putrefactive
• unattractive
• unreactive
• vasoactive
• active
• tractive

Kids 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

retroactivity

-ak-ˈti-və-tē 

noun