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
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Their words of caution were ignored (fortunately, in retrospect), and enterprising experimentalists embarked on a journey that would take nearly half a century, and the construction of three powerful colliders, to bear fruit.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See All Example Sentences for retrospect
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Noun
Which is just absolutely incredible in retrospect.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Their words of caution were ignored (fortunately, in retrospect), and enterprising experimentalists embarked on a journey that would take nearly half a century, and the construction of three powerful colliders, to bear fruit.
—Mariangela Lisanti, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Gudbranson, in retrospect, should have said no.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
This is the kind of error that looks obvious in retrospect and invisible until someone decides to check.
—Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 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 2 Apr. 2026.
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