Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
retroactive
adjective
/ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪv/
Definition
having an effect on things that have happened in the past.
Examples
- The new tax policy is retroactive, meaning it will apply to income earned since January of this year.
- She received a retroactive pay increase for the work she did last year.
- The court’s ruling was retroactive, affecting cases that had already been decided.
Meaning
Retroactive generally refers to a policy, decision, or law that is applied to events or situations that occurred before it was made or enacted.
Synonyms
- retroactive
- ex post facto
- backdated
