retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv 
: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past
especially : made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition
retroactive tax
retroactively adverb
Did you know?
We normally think of time as constantly moving forward. Since retroactive seems to defy time's forward movement, retroactive taxes, laws, and regulations are often seen as particularly obnoxious and unfair. But nobody ever objects to receiving a retroactive raise at work. When we judge historical people and events in terms of present-day morality and attitudes, our retroactive judgments may indicate that we're too impressed with ourselves and ignorant of history.
Examples of retroactive in a Sentence
They all received a retroactive pay raise. The new tax will be retroactive to January 1.
Recent Examples on the Web
The city payroll file includes categories for certain retroactive pay and overtime. —
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 The move is retroactive to Monday. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026 Nearly two of those years are in the past, so much of the increase will be retroactive. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Some of the tax changes that occurred for this tax filing year are retroactive to the start of 2025. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retroactive
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.
Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026 The move is retroactive to Monday. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2026 Nearly two of those years are in the past, so much of the increase will be retroactive. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Some of the tax changes that occurred for this tax filing year are retroactive to the start of 2025. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: intended to apply or take effect at a date in the past
a retroactive pay raise
retroactively adverb
Medical Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: having relation or reference to or efficacy in a prior time
specifically : relating to, caused by, or being obliteration of the results of learning by immediately subsequent activity
retroactive inhibition
Legal Definition
retroactive
adjective
ret·ro·ac·tive ˌre-trō-ˈak-tiv
: extending in scope or effect to a prior time or to conditions that existed or originated in the past
especially : made effective as of a date prior to enactment, promulgation, or imposition
a retroactive tax
see also ex post facto law
retroactively adverb
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