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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Recent Examples of retrospective
But almost any retrospective coverage of anything in football — particularly, it must be said, from the 1990s — is so overwhelmingly positive to the point of delusion.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
While the stenciled edge is a new addition to the design of her books, Lin, who is the subject of a career retrospective exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, has long been interested in the quality of her books, says Ling.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The disgust stems both from that aura of obliviousness and from a retrospective knowledge that the sincerity of late-two-thousands indie music was quickly co-opted into a more commercial version of itself.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
On the retrospective front, Locarno will be exploring postwar British cinema from 1945 to 1960.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrospective
Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
While the stenciled edge is a new addition to the design of her books, Lin, who is the subject of a career retrospective exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, has long been interested in the quality of her books, says Ling.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The disgust stems both from that aura of obliviousness and from a retrospective knowledge that the sincerity of late-two-thousands indie music was quickly co-opted into a more commercial version of itself.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
On the retrospective front, Locarno will be exploring postwar British cinema from 1945 to 1960.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retrospective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retrospective
Adjective
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The talks on the first day of Natcon were a mix of reactions and plans for the immediate future, combined with deeper philosophical musings around conservatism and nationalism.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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The book, however, has a philosophical resonance that the film tries very hard to replicate but can’t, culminating in a long discussion with a priest (Swann Arlaud) that makes the ending seem a hell of a long time coming.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This return to tradition isn’t simply nostalgic.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Period-appropriate musical elements will help establish the nostalgic atmosphere.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Events of this summer require all parties to be introspective.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Where the first and second used the murder-mystery as a jumping-off point for some very funny contemporary satire, Wake Up Dead Man is much more introspective.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Her ancestor’s analytic model discouraged self-revelation by the therapist, but Freud often meets her guests’ excavations of desire and vulnerability with her own candid recollections.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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That led us to over-invest in analytical capabilities and outsource data-base management.—
George Bradt,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Told from the point of view of Ruffalo's lawman and the everyman (Tom Pelphry) who is surprisingly leading the robberies, the drama is seriously dark but also thoughtful and addictive.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The goal isn’t wholesale replacement of traditional investments but rather thoughtful inclusion to improve long-term outcomes.—
Rick Unser,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The paddles would be situated 180 degrees with relation to one another, so the reflective sides point in opposite directions.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The product has nine light-reflective shades and is infused with 85 percent skincare ingredients, the company tells me.—
Rachel Burchfield,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retrospective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retrospective. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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