retroactively

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retroactively" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been done or has effect from a past time. Example sentence: The court ruled to retroactively apply the new law to all existing cases.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I retroactively understand what I do by listening to exactly that period of jazz: when you listen to Coltrane doing My Favourite Things, he can do it for 50 minutes because at the beginning he establishes a theme and then he gets back to it at the end.

The Guardian

France has been pressuring the Palestinians to amend the resolution to make it clear that Israel could not be taken to the ICC retroactively for any alleged war crimes committed before the UN votes to recognise Palestinian statehood.

The Guardian

Passed in 2008, Section 702 retroactively gave cover of law to a post-9/11 effort permitting the NSA to collect phone, email, internet and other communications content when one party to the communication is reasonably believed to be a non-American outside the United States.

The Guardian

And however infinitesimal their struggles must retroactively have felt in the light of her story, there will have been that acute pang of fellow feeling, of sympathy in its purest sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would seek to reduce its own power, but retroactively, overturning decades of rulings it believed the constitution never empowered its predecessors to make.

The Economist

So Congress amended the hydrocarbons bill to give the state a dominant role and apply this retroactively.

The Economist

Thus they want the new rules also to apply to Windows XP, Microsoft's new operating system, at least retroactively.

The Economist

Germany's constitution forbids retroactively reneging on promises already made.

The Economist

A budget was passed that aimed retroactively to tax Vodafone, the country's biggest foreign direct investor, and to clamp down on the holding structures used by most foreign investors, in particular the routing of money through the low-tax paradise of Mauritius.In April alone, foreigners sold almost $1 billion of portfolio investments in listed shares and debt.

The Economist

A culture can't retroactively change its sources.

The Economist

Some want the law to work retroactively, a serious threat to the many foreign-owned media already in existence.But Russia's last independent television station may already be at the point where neither can Mr Turner help it nor can xenophobic lawmakers do it harm.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retroactively" to clearly indicate that a law, decision, or policy applies to events that occurred before its enactment or implementation.

Common error

Avoid using "retroactively" when you simply mean "in the past" or "previously". "Retroactively" specifically means applying to something that has already happened.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "retroactively" modifies verbs or clauses to indicate that an action, rule, or decision applies to a past period or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that something has effect from a past time. Examples show it frequently used with verbs like "apply", "legalize", or "tax".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "retroactively" is used to indicate that something applies to a time in the past. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that has been done or has effect from a past time. It is grammatically correct and very common, primarily appearing in news and media sources. When using "retroactively", ensure that you intend to convey that a rule, decision, or policy is being applied to events that occurred before its implementation. Alternative phrases include "after the fact" and "with retrospective effect", but "retroactively" is the most precise way to express this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with retroactive application

Specifically denotes that a rule or law is being applied to past events.

after the fact

Highlights that something is done or considered after an event has already occurred.

post facto

A more formal, often legalistic way of saying "after the fact."

with retrospective effect

Emphasizes the effect on a past situation, sounding slightly more formal.

in retrospect

Similar to "in hindsight", but can also imply a more general reflection on the past.

with backward effect

Emphasizes movement or influence towards the past.

in hindsight

Focuses on understanding or judging a past event based on current knowledge.

on reflection

Suggests a careful thought about past events, leading to a new understanding.

looking back

Implies a review or consideration of past events, often with a changed perspective.

historically

Relates to past events but doesn't necessarily imply a change in present actions or judgments.

FAQs

How do you use "retroactively" in a sentence?

You can use "retroactively" to indicate that a law, agreement or action takes effect from a date in the past. For example: "The new tax law was applied "retroactively" to the beginning of the year."

What's a simple way to describe "retroactively"?

"Retroactively" means something applies or has effect from a date in the past. It's essentially doing something that affects something that already happened or existed.

What can I say instead of "retroactively"?

Alternatives to "retroactively" include "after the fact", "in hindsight", or "with retrospective effect", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always fair to apply laws "retroactively"?

Applying laws "retroactively" is a complex legal and ethical issue. It can be seen as unfair if it punishes actions that were legal when they were committed, but it can also be necessary to correct past injustices.