What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retroacting
Example
The new policy will not be retroacting, so it will only apply to future cases. [retroacting: adjective]
Example
The government passed a retroacting law that punished people for actions they took before the law was enacted. [retroacting: gerund or present participle]
retrospective
Example
The company conducted a retrospective analysis of their sales data to identify trends. [retrospective: adjective]
Example
The museum is hosting a retrospective of Picasso's paintings from his entire career. [retrospective: noun]
Example
After the breakup, she took a retrospective look at her past relationships to learn from her mistakes. [retrospective: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retrospective is more commonly used than retroacting in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and a more neutral or positive connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retroacting and retrospective?
Both retroacting and retrospective can be used in formal contexts, but retroacting is more likely to be used in legal or policy contexts, which tend to be more formal.
