retroactively apply

verb phrase

Pronunciation: ˌrɛtrəˈæktɪvli əˈplaɪ

Definition

Put a rule, policy, or decision into effect for a period of time that has already passed.

Examples

• The company chose to retroactively apply the new safety standards to all machines manufactured in the last decade.

• They cannot retroactively apply the new parking fee to tickets that were issued before the signs were installed.

• The court ruled that the legislature did not have the authority to retroactively apply the tax increase to previous fiscal years.

Synonyms of retroactively apply

Words with a similar meaning to retroactively apply:

• backdate
• apply retrospectively

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