retrospective

adjective ret·ro·spec·tive \ ˌre-trə-ˈspek-tiv \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of retrospective

1 a (1) : of, relating to, or given to retrospection

(2) : based on memory

a retrospective report

b : being a retrospective

a retrospective exhibition

2 : affecting things past : retroactive

retrospective laws

3 : relating to or being a study (as of a disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and collects data about their past history to explain their present condition

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retrospectively

adverb

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Examples of retrospective in a Sentence

They issued a retrospective report.
a retrospective analysis of what went wrong
The museum is having a retrospective exhibit of the artist's early works.

Recent Examples of retrospective from the Web

For example, in a retrospective analysis of medical records from 64,580 children, those exposed to antibiotics in their first 24 months were at higher risk of early childhood obesity.

— marla broadfoot, Science | AAAS, "Too many antibiotics can give preemies a lifetime of ill health," 5 Apr. 2018
The retrospective exhibition chronicles seven decades of his work.

— mary forgione, latimes.com, "Five museum fashion shows not to miss, with items from Britain's royals and Frida Kahlo's closet," 30 Mar. 2018
But Cannot Explain: More than 120 paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints are on view in this major retrospective exhibition.

— Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora-area community event calendar," 29 Mar. 2018
Most other studies use a retrospective design, where runners who have a history of injury are compared against those who don’t.

— christine yu, Outside Online, "The Right Diet Can Help Prevent Running Injuries," 29 Mar. 2018
The release of Meditations coincides with retrospective exhibitions, of the same name, in Paris, Barcelona, and San Francisco.

— morgan sykes, The Cut, "The Documentary Photographer of Rebels and Strippers," 28 Mar. 2018
This season, the FA introduced retrospective two-match bans for players found guilty of diving or feigning injury.

— SI.com, "VIDEO: Arsenal & Tottenham Target Malcom Wins Penalty With Embarrassing Dive Against Lyon," 29 Jan. 2018
Not in a retrospective way, but just to have that as the focus; that was the touchstone.

— joe lynch, Billboard, "Judas Priest on New Album 'Firepower,' Their 'Beatles Moment' & Being Out In Metal," 9 Mar. 2018
The retrospective series, organized by Janus Films, will play in other locations around the United States throughout the year.

— dante a. ciampaglia, Newsweek, "Ingmar Bergman Muse Liv Ullmann Remembers Life With the Swedish Filmmaker," 5 Mar. 2018

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

Did You Know?

Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again, wrote Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1839 novel Hyperion. But these days the past is trendy, old-fashioned is hip, and "flea-market vogue" is not an oxymoron. And of course, "retrospective" is as retro as it gets. A glance at the history of "retrospective" reveals that it traces back to the Latin retro- (meaning "back," "behind," or "backward") and "specere" (meaning "to look at"). Once you have "retrospective" behind you, you can also add its kin "retrospect" (which is used as a noun, an adjective, and a verb) and "retrospection" to your vocabulary, too. "Retrospective" can also be used as a noun, referring to an exhibition that "looks back" at artistic work created over a span of years.

First Known Use of retrospective

1664

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

retrospective

noun

Definition of retrospective

: a generally comprehensive exhibition, compilation, or performance of the work of an artist over a span of years; broadly : review 7a

a retrospective of 20th century haute couture

See retrospective defined for English-language learners

Examples of retrospective in a Sentence

The museum is featuring a retrospective of Picasso's early works.

Recent Examples of retrospective from the Web

The work of Wes Anderson is the subject of a pending Smithsonian retrospective, which will begin at the National Museum of American History this evening and continue for the next four days.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Wes Anderson’s Fastidious Whimsy Has Delighted Moviegoers for Decades," 5 Apr. 2018
Egos clash and one-liners zing in Simon’s affectionate yet scathing retrospective, which seems more apt today than when first written.

— f. kathleen foley, latimes.com, "The 99-Seat Beat: Neil Simon, family dysfunction, one-woman shows and more," 30 Mar. 2018
For all his career highs and lows, Pacino has maintained an incredible sense of self uncommon of such icons, as best displayed in the thoughtful interviews he’s given in connection with the Quad retrospective.

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The Many Eras of Al Pacino's Stardom," 25 Mar. 2018
One of the most complete retrospectives ever assembled of Jasper Johns’s career (which, after six decades, is still in progress), this show is stuffed with some of the most iconic works of 20th century American art.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Find Inspiration at These 5 Must-See Exhibits Currently at L.A. Museums," 23 Feb. 2018
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel, the Mingei International Museum and Balboa Park’s House of Israel are collaborating on a retrospective of the nation’s arts and crafts.

— martina schimitschek, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Spring arts 2018: 10 things to watch in visual art this season," 25 Mar. 2018
The Baltimore Museum of Art later this year will open an exhibit serving as the first major retrospective of native filmmaker John Waters’ art in his hometown.

— andrea k. mcdaniels, baltimoresun.com, "John Waters exhibit, the first major retrospective of the filmmaker's work, coming to Baltimore Museum of Art," 25 Mar. 2018
As The New Yorker noted in a 2014 retrospective, the Rockefeller family had paid the Guardsmen’s wages.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "The Pinkertons Still Never Sleep," 23 Mar. 2018
Carroll's show airs weekdays from 3-6 p.m. and her last broadcast, on Friday, March 30, is expected to be a retrospective of KUIK, its impact, and McCoun's owernship.

— kristi turnquist, OregonLive.com, "KUIK-AM 1360 radio in Hillsboro will stop operating March 31," 22 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of retrospective

1929

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

RETROSPECTIVE Defined for English Language Learners

retrospective

adjective

Definition of retrospective for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the past or something that happened in the past
: effective from a particular date in the past

retrospective

noun

Definition of retrospective for English Language Learners

: an exhibition of work that an artist has done in the past

Medical Dictionary

retrospective

adjective ret·ro·spec·tive \ -ˈspek-tiv \

medical Definition of retrospective

1 a : of, relating to, or given to introspection

b : relating to or being a study (as of a disease) that starts with the present condition of a population of individuals and collects data about their past history to explain their present condition — compare prospective

2 : based on memory

—

retrospectively

adverb

Law Dictionary

retrospective

adjective ret·ro·spec·tive \ ˈre-trə-ˌspek-tiv \

legal Definition of retrospective

: affecting things past : retroactive; specifically : of, relating to, or being a law that takes away or impairs vested rights, creates new duties or obligations, or attaches new disabilities with respect to acts and transactions completed before its enactment

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