retroactiveadjective
uk/ˌret.rəʊˈæk.tɪv/us/ˌret.roʊˈæk.tɪv/also retrospective formalIf a law or decision, etc. is retroactive, it has effect from a date before it was approved:
the first British law to have retroactive effect
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Relating to time
- anachronism
- chronological
- chronology
- contemporaneous
- contemporary
- cut
- cut into sth
- quality time
- retrospective
- the fourth dimension
- time
- time
- time limit
- timeline
- timing
- twin
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Rules & laws
retroactively
adverb uk/ˌret.rəʊˈæk.tɪv.li/us/ˌret.roʊˈæk.tɪv.li/
The courts cannot apply a new rule retroactively.