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 delay means retroactive contract costs continue to pile up on top of likely raises and other costly union demands, including the addition of new ambulances to the Chicago Fire Department fleet to respond to medical emergencies.
—
A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
There is no logical reason why you should not be entitled to retroactive benefit payments.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Since the Social Security Fairness Act went into effect, retroactive payments were sent out to beneficiaries in March and April, triggering monthly income to temporarily rise for nearly 3 million recipients.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Medicaid will now only provide one month’s retroactive coverage.
—Staff Author, Verywell Health, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
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A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
There is no logical reason why you should not be entitled to retroactive benefit payments.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 July 2025
Since the Social Security Fairness Act went into effect, retroactive payments were sent out to beneficiaries in March and April, triggering monthly income to temporarily rise for nearly 3 million recipients.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Medicaid will now only provide one month’s retroactive coverage.
—Staff Author, Verywell Health, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retroactive
Cite this Entry
“Retroactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retroactive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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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