retroactive

adjective

Definition of retroactivenext
as in retrospective

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 retroactive But the billionaires may think there is a good chance that courts will strike down the retroactive element of the tax. — Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 Dispute over retroactive repeal The challenge also centers on the General Assembly’s subsequent repeal of the posting requirement. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026 Proposition 42, would bar the enactment of new and/or retroactive taxes on retirement holdings, personal assets, and individual savings after January 1, 2026. — Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 Reilly’s annual salary will rise from about $352,300 to $378,392, retroactive to July 1, according to a staff report. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retroactive
  1. retrospective
  2. analytic
  3. meditative
  4. reflective
  5. contemplative
  6. pensive
  7. logical
  8. ruminative
Adjective
  • Big stars like [previous retrospective subjects] Marlon Brando and Paul Newman make people approach the festival without feeling out of place.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The show is a mini-retrospective composed of Bowers’ political activist work which was in dialogue with the movement.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of retrospective
Adjective
  • The analytic-minded architect who assembled so much underrated talent left for the biggest market in baseball.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Today’s high schoolers will be eligible to cast their first ballots within a year or two, and those who have been exposed to economics will have stronger analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
    — Julie Weaver, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of analytic
Adjective
  • This reality is claustrophobic at times, but at others freeing, almost meditative.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The combination of gentle muscle activation, diaphragmatic breathing, and torso movements may help encourage lymphatic flow, while the meditative pace offers an opportunity to unwind.
    — Marie Bladt, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of meditative
Adjective
  • Perception and brand names are often not reflective of reality.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The shoes are made from a lustrous metallic goatskin leather in a reflective pink shade.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of reflective
Adjective
  • The contemplative family pilgrimage drama marks the fiction-feature debut of a longtime collaborator of Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Hans Op de Beeck’s first dalliance with a luxury house feels a lot like his art — hushed, contemplative, and slightly under the radar.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of contemplative
Adjective
  • Totally suggests the pensive headspace of an adult returning to his childhood haunts trying to make sense of it all.
    — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Enough with the pensive mood pieces; bring back the pie f**king!
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of pensive
Adjective
  • Think about your beliefs, discard your prejudices and be logical and consistent.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 12 Nov. 2026
  • To those who know his ideas, the notion of a Spinozist biographer will seem about as logical as a vegan butcher or a pacifist contract killer.
    — Kieran Setiya, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of logical
Adjective
  • The session has now become Burning Song, a ruminative album that reveals its quiet beauty layer by layer, like ocean water slowly breaking down rock.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Set on the eve of the Korean war, this ruminative story follows a midwestern family that’s fractured by a mother’s sudden disappearance.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruminative

Browse Nearby Words

retro
retroactive
retrofit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retroactive. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All