retroactive

ret·ro·ac·tive | \ ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv

\

Definition of retroactive

: 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

Other Words from retroactive Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about retroactive

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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 But, what responsible board changes a policy and makes it retroactive? — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: More needed to fight hazing; Keep LaRue’s name on library; Loud college games too much for animals (11/13/19," 13 Nov. 2019 Crowder said sentencing guidelines that took effect in 2013 should be made retroactive because offenders convicted earlier have far longer prison terms. — Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, "No easy, free fixes for Alabama prisons, study group told," 3 Oct. 2019 Gonzales, 26, went on the 10-day DL on Aug. 27 (retroactive to Aug. 24) with a cervical (neck) muscle strain. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Mariners activate Marco Gonzales from the disabled list, recall relievers Matt Festa and Nick Rumbelow," 11 Sep. 2018 But the university has rehired both women and agreed to back pay and retroactive benefits totaling about $203,000 for Ms. Taaffe and $237,000 for Ms. Moon. — Paula Span, New York Times, "He Called Older Employees ‘Dead Wood.’ Two Sued for Age Discrimination.," 6 July 2018 In early 2019, Buividas, Scheidt and the rest of the PSPRS board approved a retroactive raise for Smout that boosted his annual pay to a quarter million dollars. — Craig Harris, azcentral, "Police retiree group: PSPRS chairman, vice chairman should resign after Republic report," 23 Jan. 2020 To make space on the roster, the Stars placed Radek Faksa on IR retroactive to Jan. 11 with an upper-body injury. — Matthew Defranks, Dallas News, "‘This is the day I’ve looked forward to’: Stephen Johns to make NHL return after 22-month absence," 18 Jan. 2020 The proposed salary increase would provide a retroactive 2% pay raise for existing Wisconsin State Patrol employees and increase starting pay by 23% — a raise troopers say is needed to improve the patrol's ability to recruit. — Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Lawmakers increase pay for UW, state employees by 2% while raises for state troopers are put off," 18 Dec. 2019 Sandoval was placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 14, retroactive to Aug. 11, with right elbow inflammation. — Jenna West, SI.com, "Pablo Sandoval to Undergo Tommy John Surgery in First Week of September," 24 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retroactive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near retroactive

retroactive inhibition

retroactive law

retrocecal

Statistics for retroactive

Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for retroactive

retroactive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of retroactive

formal : effective from a particular date in the past

See the full definition for retroactive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

retroactive

adjective

ret·ro·ac·tive | \ ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv

\

Medical Definition of retroactive

: 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

retroactive

adjective

ret·ro·ac·tive | \ ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv

\

Legal Definition of retroactive

: 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