ret·ro·spect
ˈre-trə-ˌspekt 
1
: a review of or meditation on past events
2
archaic
: reference to or regard of a precedent or authority
see also:
retrospected; retrospecting; retrospects
: to go back over in thought
Examples of retrospect in a Sentence
Noun
in retrospect, we should have saved more money for college
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
That’s how the US central bank reacted to the steep tariff hikes last year, as well as — in retrospect mistakenly — to the initial jump in consumer prices in 2021.
—Chris Anstey, Bloomberg, 6 Mar. 2026
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Dollander, in retrospect, wasn’t ready last season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for retrospect
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Noun
Given that potential timeline, the idea of pushing back the California drilling analysis and laying low on the subject — granted, that’s not Trump’s style — might eventually seem like a good one in retrospect.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
That’s how the US central bank reacted to the steep tariff hikes last year, as well as — in retrospect mistakenly — to the initial jump in consumer prices in 2021.
—Chris Anstey, Bloomberg, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Gout follows rules, yes, but often only in retrospect.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Dollander, in retrospect, wasn’t ready last season.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
In retrospect the unfolding of Watergate in the press and the courts and Congress is our American Oresteia.
—Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for retrospect
Cite this Entry
“Retrospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrospect. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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