ret·ro·spect
ˈre-trə-ˌspekt 
1
: a review of or meditation on past events
2
archaic
: reference to or regard of a precedent or authority
retrospected; retrospecting; retrospects
: to go back over in thought
Synonyms
Examples of retrospect in a Sentence
Noun
in retrospect, we should have saved more money for college
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2025
The Soviet Union’s reliance on stray dogs was practical in retrospect—and, in hindsight, incredibly symbolic.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Ian Frisch, Curbed, 9 Jan. 2025
In 2010, Markowitz filmed a stunt-y (but weirdly quaint in retrospect) video of himself using an iPad to personally email Steve Jobs, asking him for a Brooklyn Apple Store.
—Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 24 Dec. 2024
Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
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Noun
In retrospect, the Golden Globes, held one week ago at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, were extremely lucky.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2025
The Soviet Union’s reliance on stray dogs was practical in retrospect—and, in hindsight, incredibly symbolic.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
There was one moment that evening, however, that in retrospect Pope would see as a warning sign.
—Ian Frisch, Curbed, 9 Jan. 2025
In 2010, Markowitz filmed a stunt-y (but weirdly quaint in retrospect) video of himself using an iPad to personally email Steve Jobs, asking him for a Brooklyn Apple Store.
—Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
In retrospect the unfolding of Watergate in the press and the courts and Congress is our American Oresteia.
—Mark Danner, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for retrospect
Dictionary Entries Near retrospect
Cite this Entry
“Retrospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrospect. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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