after-the-fact
Following the event
After-the-fact describes something occurring or done after an event has already happened, especially when it would have been more appropriate beforehand.
An after-the-fact justification explains actions already taken.
After-the-fact approval comes too late to authorize what it purports to permit.
The phrase often carries a note of inadequacy or retrospective scrambling: The safety measures were after-the-fact responses to the disaster.
Occurring after something else
- retroactiveEffective from a past date
- posteriorRear or later
- ensuingFollowing as consequence
- followingComing after another
later · afterward · thereafter · postdating · belated · delayed · posthumous
Reviewing what came before
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- realizationGrasping what's true
- 20/20Normal visual sharpness
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
insight · reassessment · reconsideration · lessons · understanding · epiphany · enlightenment · contemplation
Results following an event
- outcomeFinal result of events
- resultWhat follows a cause
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
- repercussionIndirect result of action
fallout · impact · effect · blowback · corollary · side-effect · upshot · legacy
Reason proving rightness
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- revisionismReexamining established doctrine
cover-up · whitewash · reframing · backfilling · retcon · alibi · pretext
subsequent
Occurring after something else
- retroactiveEffective from a past date
- posteriorRear or later
- ensuingFollowing as consequence
following · later · afterward · thereafter · postdating · belated · delayed · posthumous
retrospective
Reviewing what came before
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- realizationGrasping what's true
- 20/20Normal visual sharpness
wisdom · insight · reassessment · reconsideration · lessons · understanding · epiphany · enlightenment · contemplation · analysis
aftermath
Results following an event
- outcomeFinal result of events
- resultWhat follows a cause
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
repercussion · fallout · impact · effect · blowback · corollary · side-effect · upshot · legacy · sequelae
justification
Reason proving rightness
- excuseOffered reason for wrongdoing
- explanationStatement making something clear
- spinRapid rotation around axis
revisionism · cover-up · whitewash · reframing · backfilling · retcon · alibi · pretext
after-the-factbeforehand
In advance
in advance · ahead of time · prior · ex ante · previously
after-the-factpreemptive
Acting to forestall
preventive · preventative · proactive · anticipatory · premeditated
after, fact, facts, factual, factually, factorial, factoid, factory, factories