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

• retrocat

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