retroactively

American

[re-troh-ak-tiv-lee] / ˌrɛ troʊˈæk tɪv li /

adverb

in a way that includes or refers to events that happened before the relevant rule, decision, or other measure came into effect.

One other state has just passed a Racial Justice Act, but it doesn’t allow any of the inmates now on death row to file claims retroactively.

Other Word Forms

nonretroactively adverb
unretroactively adverb

Etymology

Origin of retroactively

retroactive ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, the company said that pressure from the suspension of value-added-tax refunds, which will be retroactively applied, for onshore wind projects could weigh on the renewables segment this year, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

After he and his wife died, a local tax assessor retroactively revoked the exemption and denied the tax credit to their son who lived in the home.

From The Wall Street Journal

A business cannot retroactively place orders it canceled.

From MarketWatch

The measure would prohibit any state from levying taxes retroactively on individuals who no longer live there.

From Los Angeles Times

But his son was still penalized because, the parent said, he was not allowed to grant permission for his son retroactively.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023