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
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 Fayette County water system sent QTS a letter in May 2025 documenting retroactive charges of $147,474, which QTS paid, and no additional fines were imposed on the developer.
—
Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 May 2026
As for wages, upon ratification, all WGSU members will receive a minimum 4% salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2026, an additional 4% increase in August 2026, and a third 4% increase in August 2027.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 May 2026
The club officially listed the injury as elbow impingement, which was retroactive to May 7.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Longevity increases retroactive to January 1, 2026 for any WGSU member who has been in the same position or grade for five, ten, and fifteen years.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
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Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 May 2026
As for wages, upon ratification, all WGSU members will receive a minimum 4% salary increase retroactive to January 1, 2026, an additional 4% increase in August 2026, and a third 4% increase in August 2027.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 10 May 2026
The club officially listed the injury as elbow impingement, which was retroactive to May 7.
—Jaylon Thompson
may 8, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
Longevity increases retroactive to January 1, 2026 for any WGSU member who has been in the same position or grade for five, ten, and fifteen years.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 May 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 17 May. 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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