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retrospective

3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for retrospective, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adjective — Looking back on or relating to the past.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

Antonyms

forward-looking prospective

How to use retrospective

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a retrospective exhibition retrospective effect career retrospective

Etymology

From retrospect + -ive.

Full origin of retrospective →

Frequently asked questions

What does “retrospective” mean?

The word “retrospective” means looking back on or relating to the past. In plain terms, looking back over the past, or (for art) a career-spanning exhibition.

How do you pronounce “retrospective”?

“Retrospective” is pronounced reht-ruh-SPEHK-tihv (/ˌɹɛt.ɹə(ʊ)ˈspɛk.tɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “retrospective” in a sentence?

Here is “retrospective” used in a sentence: “The report gives a retrospective look at the company's first decade.”

What is another word for “retrospective”?

Words with a similar meaning to “retrospective” include hindsightly, historical and reflective.

What is the opposite of “retrospective”?

The opposite of “retrospective” — its antonyms — are forward-looking and prospective.

What part of speech is “retrospective”?

Depending on how it is used, “retrospective” can be an adjective and a noun.

Is “retrospective” a common word?

“Retrospective” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “retrospective” have?

“Retrospective” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: looking back on or relating to the past.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.