as in retrospective
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Recent Examples of retroactive
The order was not retroactive, and applied to children born in the future.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The measure is not retroactive and won’t apply to current prisoners.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The law is not retroactive and will not apply to October 7 suspects, though a separate bill could still establish a special tribunal with capital punishment for those cases.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Federal workers who go without wages during a shutdown, whether they're furloughed or continue working, are legally entitled to receive retroactive pay once the shutdown ends.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
The measure is not retroactive and won’t apply to current prisoners.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The law is not retroactive and will not apply to October 7 suspects, though a separate bill could still establish a special tribunal with capital punishment for those cases.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Federal workers who go without wages during a shutdown, whether they're furloughed or continue working, are legally entitled to receive retroactive pay once the shutdown ends.
—Chantelle Lee, Time, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retroactive
Adjective
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The Sacramento Bee published a comprehensive retrospective Friday, which included interviews with a number of people who were involved in the incident.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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The solo acoustic run will feature a retrospective setlist spanning his career.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Science and art are often held up as opposites — the logical and analytical versus the creative and emotional, the domain of the left brain hemisphere versus the right, the yang versus the yin.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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This Earth sign is deeply analytical, introspective and is often associated with themes surrounding healing, self-improvement and mental health, which strongly resonates with her portrayal of Rue Bennett.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Swedish producer’s new record hovers around 40 minutes and features five songs of meditative ambient techno and drone.—
Kiana Mickles,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
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Ives inserts hints of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the meditative work, and at other times seems to conjure up church bells through the piano.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Made of reflective material, this leash assures the safety of both you and your pet when the sun goes down.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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Kovács, who is more reflective in person than his bulldog persona online, told me that Hungary’s election system is secure.—
Isaac Stanley-Becker,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Privacy may struggle within a buzzing neighborhood as the Sun in your contemplative 12th house pokes indulgent Jupiter in your 3rd House of Messages.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
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The Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji and the views from Kiyomizudera are the city’s big stars, but the statuary hall at Sanjusangendo is a contemplative escape.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Big horizons meet daily realities as the instinctive Moon explores your pensive 9th house and squares Jupiter in your sensible 6th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Gonzalez describes him as serious, pensive, charming and easy to like.—
Vanessa Murdock,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In the absence of a money tree, the only logical response to a budget deficit is to make adjustments on the expense side.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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An injury settlement feels like the most logical path at this point.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The track is focused but ruminative, mirroring the circular way thoughts orbit an obsession.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
17 Feb. 2026
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Documentarians Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, who also gave us the ruminative Nick Cave portrait 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), use this as an elaborate framing device, the sort of oddball choice that doesn’t feel necessary yet also doesn’t detract from the goal at hand.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retroactive. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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