retrospective

Considering events or experiences from the past.

• The book offers a retrospective view of her career.
• Researchers carried out a retrospective study of hospital records.
• His retrospective account includes memories of his childhood.

Similar words: backward-looking

Common phrases: retrospective review, retrospective study, retrospective account, retrospective look

Having an effect on events or situations from before a rule or decision was made.

• The new rule has retrospective effect.
• Workers received retrospective pay increases dating back to January.
• The council refused retrospective approval for the building work.

Similar words: retroactive

Common phrases: retrospective effect, retrospective payment, retrospective approval

An exhibition showing work from different periods of an artist’s life.

• The museum is hosting a retrospective.
• We visited a retrospective of the sculptor’s work.
• Her first major retrospective includes drawings from her teenage years.

How to use it: retrospective of something (The gallery is showing a retrospective of her paintings.)

Similar words: tribute

Common phrases: artist retrospective, major retrospective, retrospective of something