as in review
a usually critical look at a past event
in retrospect, we should have saved more money for college
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Recent Examples of retrospect
But what seem really incredible, in retrospect, are the circumstances of my own first interview.
—
Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 1 May 2026
In retrospect, Panik and Barria’s duel was child’s play compared to what happened next.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The pace of hyperinflation may seem swift and unrelenting, especially in retrospect, but its warning signs are typically visible long before the crisis reaches its most destructive phase.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Then Miami gave Jovic a four-year, $62 million deal that seemed defensible at the time but now stands as a regrettable mistake, in retrospect.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrospect
Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 1 May 2026
In retrospect, Panik and Barria’s duel was child’s play compared to what happened next.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
The pace of hyperinflation may seem swift and unrelenting, especially in retrospect, but its warning signs are typically visible long before the crisis reaches its most destructive phase.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
Then Miami gave Jovic a four-year, $62 million deal that seemed defensible at the time but now stands as a regrettable mistake, in retrospect.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for retrospect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrospect
Noun
-
Richman, the Citizen Oversight Board member, does not believe first-line supervisors are equipped to thoroughly review misconduct allegations and make informed decisions on what warrants further review.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
The Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, which was first proposed last summer, is not facing an antitrust review under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission, as would be the case with most industries.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Frisell will turn 75 on March 18, midway through his current tour, and retrospection is a constant throughout In My Dreams.—
Archie Forde,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
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The system also supports global retrospection.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Undoubtedly, these reconsiderations have been a largely positive exercise, foregrounding not only more equitable but more accurate and more engaging histories, and opening gallery and museum doors to previously excluded artists (even if many have suffered with the ups and downs of speculation).—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The president in Hungary, though a largely figurehead role, can refer laws back to parliament for reconsideration or forward legislation to the Constitutional Court, potentially slowing or blocking Magyar’s reform agenda.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Critical to the commission was also that the city review and align its methodology and reappraisal schedule for both residential piers and mooring permits so that both user groups are treated equitably.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
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During each year at least 11 of the 100 counties are conducting a county wide reappraisal.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Noun
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But nothing can derail the success of this extraordinary production, the high watermark so far of Pasadena Playhouse producing artistic director Danny Feldman’s ongoing reexamination of the American musical canon.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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That’s true even for routine reviews without any surprises, but add to that the potential for people to challenge the review and force costly reexamination or even litigation — something that practically anyone who might conceivably be affected by a development can do.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retrospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrospect. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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