RETROACTIVE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

retroactive

adjective

Definition of retroactive

as in retrospective

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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 retroactive The league subsequently hit Thomas with a retroactive flagrant foul and one-game suspension. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026 There is surely some retroactive continuity here, the writer going back in time to spin an origin story about the idea that would become the center of her spiritual writing. — Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 But lawmakers did not make that change retroactive, to apply to people already inside prison. — Carrie Johnson, NPR, 23 June 2026 The team put Torres on the 10-day IL, retroactive to June 15. — CBS News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for retroactive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retroactive

Adjective

Many are free to the public, and the celebration will continue after the festival with a five-week retrospective screening series.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
The exhibition also included a retrospective display of eight landmark creations released over the brand’s three decades, highlighting the evolution of Roberto Coin's design language.

— Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of retrospective

Adjective

Business leaders and referees alike need to balance the cognitive friction between human task evaluation and analytic precision.

— Oded Netzer, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Empathy and active listening appear among the 10 core skills employers value most, alongside analytical thinking, resilience and creativity.

— Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Definition of analytic

Adjective

The resurgence of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s long-running shock comedy and cultural satire is, at the very least, reflective of the actual show’s cultural footprint in the past year.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
These drops nourish skin with a combination of tsubaki oil, avocado seed oil, and squalane, while reflective mica delivers a subtle glow.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Definition of reflective

Adjective

At the Signers’ Hall exhibit in Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, the Dickinson statue is placed apart in a corner, sculpted in a contemplative pose.

— Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
At the Signers' Hall exhibit in Philadelphia's National Constitution Center, the Dickinson statue is placed apart in a corner, sculpted in a contemplative pose.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of contemplative

Adjective

John Malkovich looks pensive ahead of his guest appearance in Report on the Blind at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm, Sweden on June 22.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
For Waititi, the film has lots of comedic parts while retaining the pensive beauty of the original text.

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 June 2026

Definition of pensive

Adjective

And Marte has already experienced professional success in Japan, making a return to NPB a logical next step after his latest setback in North America.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Taking the idea a step further, the authors took 940 problems from three math benchmark datasets and used an LLM to break down their logical structure into a set of premises and a final question.

— Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026

Definition of logical

Adjective

But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.

— Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 19 June 2026
Their ruminative hush sets them apart in an era of instant-gratification drops.

— Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026

Definition of ruminative

Browse Nearby Words

retro

retroactive

retrofit

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“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retroactive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of retroactive

adjective

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