retrospective

adjective

Definition of retrospectivenext
as in philosophical
given to or marked by reflection of the past Her book takes a retrospective look at the actor's long and distinguished career.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retrospective Moving away from a retrospective punishment mechanism appealed to Portsmouth too, as did the shift to a focus on liquidity, something which meshes with the aims of the independent football regulator, which recently came into operation in England. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Heritage Monday has become a popular fixture at the industry section of the Locarno Film Festival, reflecting the growing interest in film restoration and retrospective programming. — John Bleasdale, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026 But his angsty-young-woman period, which yielded 2003’s Dead Like Me as well as 2004’s currently-unavailable-in-any-digital-format Wonderfalls, could use more retrospective love. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 The release will also include Malcolm McDowell retrospective screenings at select theatres, including at NYC’s Cinema 1, 2, 3 where A Clockwork Orange originally premiered. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retrospective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrospective
  1. philosophical
  2. nostalgic
  3. introspective
  4. analytic
  5. thoughtful
  6. reflective
Adjective
  • But that fear is also producing an increasingly dangerous critical climate in which audiences are being subtly encouraged to inspect every project for a philosophical smoking gun.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Voters, whether explicitly or not, wrestle with this philosophical fight.
    — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of philosophical
Adjective
  • Colored Light Bulbs and Lava Lamps Colored bulbs and lava lamps may conjure images of ’90s bedrooms, but nostalgic lighting is returning in a more intentional way.
    — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Mismatched geometric shapes and plaid add to the nostalgic feel.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of nostalgic
Adjective
  • The music was imbued with grace and dignity in both its most introspective and uplifting moments.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • One is fluorescent, maximalist, and celebratory; the other is somber, introspective, and stripped back.
    — Thalía Henao, Allure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of introspective
Adjective
  • Summary Top companies are revolutionizing decision-making by leveraging location as a critical analytical lens, moving beyond mere data points.
    — Brian Cross, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • An analytical number theorist and an expert in partial differential equations often don’t speak the same language.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of analytic
Adjective
  • Founded in 2009, the group has bloomed into a small empire—we’re talking nearly 70 of the South’s favorite restaurants, hotels, bars, and cafes, plus another dozen or so in development—with thoughtful intention.
    — Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This means clear standards, thoughtful planning and investment in new energy generation and transmission.
    — Frances Townsend, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • The collector uses reflective elements to direct sunlight toward an absorber panel, where the energy is trapped and transferred to a medium such as air or water.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The first feels rooted in youth, summer, romance and memory; after the switch, the music becomes more reflective, solitary and unsettled.
    — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of reflective

Browse Nearby Words

retrospections
retrospective
retrospects
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Cite this Entry

“Retrospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrospective. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of retrospective for Spanish Speakers

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