adjective · Hard SAT word

Retroactive

applying to past events

Retroactive in a sentence

The law applied retroactively to anyone charged before the policy changed.

Synonyms for retroactive

backward
retrospective
prior

Antonyms for retroactive

prospective
future
forward

Practice retroactive on real SAT questions

Vocabulary like retroactive appears on the Digital SAT in Words-in-Context questions, where you choose the word that fits a passage's meaning and tone. You can also drill this word with vocabulary flashcards.

Related SAT vocabulary

Resumption
beginning again; beginning again
Retain
keep or hold onto
Retaliation
revenge; action taken in return for an injury or offense
Reticence
reserve; the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
Reticent
quiet and reserved
Retract
take back; formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
Retraction
withdrawal of a statement
Retrieve
get back; get or find back; recover the use of