retroaction
Effect preceding cause
Retroaction is the effect of something acting backward in time or upon past events.
A law with retroaction applies to circumstances that existed before the law was enacted.
The word also describes a reciprocal effect—one thing acting back upon another that influenced it: The new policy's retroaction on earlier cases created legal complications.
Less common than its adjective retroactive.
Enacted after the fact
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
- statuteEnacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- amendmentChange to official text
nullification · repeal · annulment · backdating · grandfather clause · rescission · invalidation · restitution
Indirect result of action
- aftermathResults following an event
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- ramificationSecondary consequence of action
outcome · effect · impact · blowback · ripple effect · domino effect · boomerang · rebound
Mutual exchange of actions
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- counterFlat service surface
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
resistance · opposition · retort · rejoinder · riposte · reprisal · answering
Curve closing on itself
- cyberneticsCommunication and control science
- controlAuthority to direct
- systemConnected parts forming whole
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
adjustment · mechanism · homeostasis · input · output · stabilization · servomechanism · corrective
ex post facto
Enacted after the fact
- retrospectiveReviewing what came before
- statuteEnacted written rule
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
amendment · nullification · repeal · annulment · backdating · grandfather clause · rescission · invalidation · restitution · reinstatement
repercussion
Indirect result of action
- aftermathResults following an event
- backlashStrong negative reaction
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
ramification · outcome · effect · impact · blowback · ripple effect · domino effect · boomerang · rebound · echo
reciprocation
Mutual exchange of actions
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- counterFlat service surface
- countermeasureDefense against a threat
pushback · resistance · opposition · retort · rejoinder · riposte · reprisal · answering
loop
Curve closing on itself
- cyberneticsCommunication and control science
- controlAuthority to direct
- systemConnected parts forming whole
regulation · adjustment · mechanism · homeostasis · input · output · stabilization · servomechanism · corrective · modulation
retroactionproaction
Anticipatory action-taking
foresight · anticipation · preemption · futurity · prognostication
retroactionpropulsion
Force driving movement forward
progression · advancement · forward motion · advance · progress
- retroactive payCompensation applied to earlier periods
retroactive, retroactively, retroactivity, retroactiveness, retroacting