retrospectively
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb 1. In a manner that looks back on or considers past events: The word describes an action of thinking about, analyzing, or applying rules to events that have already happened. - Example: The law was applied retrospectively, affecting actions taken before it was passed. 2. With consideration of the past; in hindsight: It refers to viewing or judging something from a later point in time, with knowledge of how things turned out. - Example: Retrospectively, their decision to invest early was brilliant.
Usage Examples
- General Use:
- The policy cannot be enforced retrospectively.
- She reviewed her career retrospectively and felt a sense of accomplishment.
- In Analysis:
- The data was analyzed retrospectively using old patient records.
- Viewed retrospectively, the clues to the mystery seem obvious.
Advanced Usage
- In Legal/Formal Contexts: Often used to describe laws, rules, or judgments that are applied to past actions.
- The court ruled that the penalty could not be imposed retrospectively.
- In Academic/Research Writing: Used to describe studies that look back at existing data.
- This is a retrospectively conducted cohort study.
Variants and Related Words
- Retrospect (noun): A survey or review of past events.
- In retrospect, I should have acted differently.
- Retrospective (adjective): Looking back on or dealing with past events.
- The museum held a retrospective exhibition of the painter's work.
- Retrospection (noun): The action of looking back on past events.
Synonyms
- In hindsight
- In retrospect
- After the fact
- Looking back
Antonyms
- Prospectively (in a manner looking forward to the future)
- In advance
- A priori
Related Phrases
- With retrospective effect: Having force or application from a past date.
- The pay rise was granted with retrospective effect to January.
Adverb
- in a manner contemplative of past events
- retrospectively, he seems like a great artist