Retroactive Definition

rĕtrō-ăktĭv
adjective
Having application to or effect on things done prior to its enactment.
A retroactive law.
Webster's New World
Going into effect as of a specified date in the past.
A retroactive increase.
Webster's New World

Referring to a law, a ruling, and so on affecting matters that occurred beforehand; affecting past happenings. See also prospective.

Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Origin of Retroactive

  • French rétroactif from Latin retroāctus past participle of retroagere to drive back retrō- retro- agere to drive ag- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Retroactive Sentence Examples

  • The constitution prohibits special, local and retroactive legislation, legislation impairing the obligation of contracts, and legislation levying a poll tax for county or state purposes or a tax on state, municipal and public school bonds (amendment of 1905), and it limits the amount and specifies the character of public debts which the legislature may contract.

  • When a new vaccine is added to the Vaccine Injury Table, coverage is retroactive for eight years.

  • The United Nations began last year to try to quash Iraq 's surcharges by imposing a system of retroactive pricing on Iraqi oil.

  • Interest also accrues on retroactive support ordered.

  • Although the Act did not go into effect until March 1, 2009, it was made retroactive to September 1, 2008.

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Words Starting With

RRERET

Words Ending With

EVEIVE

Unscrambles

retroactive

Words Starting With R and Ending With E

Starts With R & Ends With EStarts With RE & Ends With EStarts With R & Ends With VE

Word Length

11 Letter Words11 Letter Words Starting With R11 Letter Words Ending With E