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 in retrospect
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
Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
The flaws in this system were obvious enough, at least in retrospect.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
From academic probation to star student Rieder’s arc, in retrospect, could look inevitable.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
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Noun
Is Til the Casket Drops kinda underrated in retrospect?
—Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026
The flaws in this system were obvious enough, at least in retrospect.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In retrospect, maybe that should’ve been viewed less as a rallying cry and more of a harbinger of what was to come in his first calendar year.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
From academic probation to star student Rieder’s arc, in retrospect, could look inevitable.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 27 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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