English Reference
Adverb

retrospectively

adv. manner
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈspɛktɪvɫi/ UK /ɹˌɛtɹəʊspˈɛktɪvli/ ret·ro·spec·tive·ly

adv.thinking about something after it has already happened. You use this when you look back on a past event to understand it better.

adv.considering or reviewing something in the light of past events. Often used to describe the act of applying a new rule or law to a previous period.


SIMPLE

In retrospect, I wish I had taken that job offer.

CONTEXTUAL

The company decided to apply the new safety regulations retrospectively to all previous projects.

COMPLEX

While the policy seemed justified at the time, a retrospective analysis of the data reveals several unintended consequences that the original committee had failed to anticipate.

Including Passivhaus measures in a building's initial design is much cheaper than trying to add them retrospectively.

BBC News· 21 Aug 2026

Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, claimed changes to national planning policy frameworks will make it easier for travellers to get sites “rubber stamped” retrospectively, “often when they’ve already erected permanent structures”.

The Guardian· 19 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated