retroactive UK /ˌɹɛt.ɹəʊˈæk.tɪv/US /ˌɹɛ.tɹoʊˈæk.tɪv/ adjective1 •Extending in scope, effect, application or influence to a prior time or to prior conditionsRather, he hoped there was some legal trickeration he could deploy to get a retroactive water right filed and end-run the opposition. — 2005