retroactive
Taking effect from a date in the past rather than from the present
Examples
In a meeting
“The policy change is retroactive to January 1st, so we'll need to adjust previous invoices.”
Over coffee
“My raise is retroactive to last month, so I'll get back pay in this check.”
Why this word
backward
retroactive specifically means applying to past events or dates, while backward is directional
retrospective
retroactive implies legal/official effect on the past, while retrospective is looking back or reviewing
backdated
retroactive encompasses the legal effect, while backdated just refers to assigning an earlier date
Usage tip
Use when describing policies, payments, or changes that apply to a period before they were officially announced or approved.
Etymology
Latin: 'retro' (backward) + 'activus' (active)
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Related words
subsequent
Coming after something in time or order.
perpetual
Never ending or changing; occurring continuously.
defer
To postpone something to a later time, or to yield to someone else's judgment.
tenure
The period of time someone holds a position or office
protract
To extend or prolong something in time
telescope
To compress or condense a timeline by overlapping phases