ret·ro·spect
ˈre-trə-ˌspekt 
1
: a review of or meditation on past events
2
archaic
: reference to or regard of a precedent or authority
retrospected; retrospecting; retrospects
: to go back over in thought
Synonyms
Examples of retrospect in a Sentence
Noun
in retrospect, we should have saved more money for college
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2024
The solution is satisfying — hard to guess in the moment, yet perfectly logical in retrospect.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
Mark Gimein, theweek, 19 Feb. 2024
Yet even if the interdiction on restaurants was, in retrospect, excessive, no one could have known that then.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for retrospect 
Noun
As is obvious in retrospect, that fiberglass cabinet was styled by a friend of Bushnell's who made Jacuzzis and the space race between the USSR and the USA was the focus of every news report.
—New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2024
The solution is satisfying — hard to guess in the moment, yet perfectly logical in retrospect.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
Adjective
But in retrospect Varsity Blues feels like a turning point.
—Mark Gimein, theweek, 19 Feb. 2024
Yet even if the interdiction on restaurants was, in retrospect, excessive, no one could have known that then.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024
Verb
In retrospect the unfolding of Watergate in the press and the courts and Congress is our American Oresteia.
—Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for retrospect
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retrospect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near retrospect
Cite this Entry
“Retrospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrospect. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.
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