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 increase will be retroactive to Jan. 1, Eby said.
—
Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
Miner thinks the State Department making the policy retroactive could be significant for many people.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
The new salary range, retroactive to July 1, would be $51,500 to $82,480.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024
Finally, though the tax was made law this year, it was made retroactive back to 2022.
—Trevor Wagener, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retroactive 
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Gene Maddaus, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
Miner thinks the State Department making the policy retroactive could be significant for many people.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
The new salary range, retroactive to July 1, would be $51,500 to $82,480.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2024
Finally, though the tax was made law this year, it was made retroactive back to 2022.
—Trevor Wagener, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for retroactive
Dictionary Entries Near retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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