How Do You Spell RETROACT?

Pronunciation: [ɹˌɛtɹə͡ʊˈakt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "retroact" is based on its origin and pronunciation. It is derived from the Latin word "retro" meaning back, and the verb "act" meaning to do. As per the IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as "re-truh-akt". The "e" in "retro" sounds like the "e" in "set", while the "a" in "act" sounds like the "a" in "bat". The "o" in "retroact" sounds like the "o" in "lock", and the stress is on the second syllable, "truh".

RETROACT Meaning and Definition

  1. Retroact is a verb that refers to the act of operating or taking effect back in time, especially in relation to a law, rule, or decision. It is derived from the combination of the Latin prefix "retro-" meaning backward or back, and the verb "act" meaning to take action or do something.

    When a law or regulation is retroactive, it means that it is applied to events or actions that occurred in the past. Retroactive laws have the ability to change the legal consequences of past actions to align them with the current law. This concept can often be controversial since it can modify the rights and obligations of individuals based on standards that did not exist at the time of their actions.

    The term "retroact" can also be used more broadly to describe the process of taking action or having an effect that extends backward in time. In this sense, it can refer to any action or decision that influences events that occurred before its implementation.

    Retroactive measures are sometimes implemented to correct errors, injustices, or unintended consequences that have arisen from previous laws or decisions. However, they can also be seen as infringing upon the principles of fairness and legal certainty, as they can potentially alter the expectations and rights of individuals without their prior knowledge or consent.

    Overall, "retroact" describes the action of applying an effect, action, or decision retrospectively, thereby changing or influencing events that have already taken place.

  2. To act backward; to act on something past or preceding.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for RETROACT

Etymology of RETROACT

The word "retroact" is derived from the combination of two Latin roots: "retro" meaning "back" or "backward", and "ago" meaning "act" or "do". The term "retroact" was first recorded in the mid-17th century, and it refers to the act of applying an action or law to a previous time or to backdate something.

Conjugate verb Retroact

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have retroacted
you would have retroacted
he/she/it would have retroacted
we would have retroacted
they would have retroacted
I would have retroact
you would have retroact
he/she/it would have retroact
we would have retroact
they would have retroact

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been retroacting
you would have been retroacting
he/she/it would have been retroacting
we would have been retroacting
they would have been retroacting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would retroact
you would retroact
he/she/it would retroact
we would retroact
they would retroact

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be retroacting
you would be retroacting
he/she/it would be retroacting
we would be retroacting
they would be retroacting

FUTURE

I will retroact
you will retroact
he/she/it will retroact
we will retroact
they will retroact

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be retroacting
you will be retroacting
he/she/it will be retroacting
we will be retroacting
they will be retroacting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have retroacted
you will have retroacted
he/she/it will have retroacted
we will have retroacted
they will have retroacted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been retroacting
you will have been retroacting
he/she/it will have been retroacting
we will have been retroacting
they will have been retroacting

IMPERATIVE

you retroact
we let´s retroact

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to retroact

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was retroacting
you were retroacting
he/she/it was retroacting
we were retroacting
they were retroacting

PAST PARTICIPLE

retroacted

PAST PERFECT

I had retroacted
you had retroacted
he/she/it had retroacted
we had retroacted
they had retroacted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been retroacting
you had been retroacting
he/she/it had been retroacting
we had been retroacting
they had been retroacting

PRESENT

I retroact
you retroact
he/she/it retroacts
we retroact
they retroact

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am retroacting
you are retroacting
he/she/it is retroacting
we are retroacting
they are retroacting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

retroacting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have retroacted
you have retroacted
he/she/it has retroacted
we have retroacted
they have retroacted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been retroacting
you have been retroacting
he/she/it has been retroacting
we have been retroacting
they have been retroacting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it retroact

SIMPLE PAST

I retroacted
you retroacted
he/she/it retroacted
we retroacted
they retroacted

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