retrospection

noun

ret·​ro·​spec·​tion ˌre-trə-ˈspek-shən How to pronounce retrospection (audio)
: the act or process or an instance of surveying the past

Examples of retrospection in a Sentence

This is a time of retrospection for many people. the president is confident that future retrospections will cast his actions in a more favorable light
Recent Examples on the Web Rosy retrospection highlights our strengths and abilities to overcome obstacles, reminding us that difficult times are often temporary. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 This year, the paradigm shifted from the wishfully apocalyptic to the pessimistically archeological: my favorite shows were full of retrospection and weird rituals from a post-collapse civilization, and as dark as grave dirt. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 25 Jan. 2024 But in Thompson’s comments — and surely inn the conversation with Kerr that preceded them — there was just as much retrospection as introspection. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024 Madonna has marketed her tour as a celebration and retrospection of her career, and she’s played a lot of her classic hits from the ‘80s. Vulture, 22 Jan. 2024 Republican primary voters do not seem eager to engage in a critical retrospection on Trump’s last, worst year in office. Noah Rothman, National Review, 11 Jan. 2024 By contrast, retrospection has played a blessedly small part in the emotional legend of Ethan Hunt. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023 But Shepherd, who’ll play at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre on July 19 before returning to the Mobile Saenger Theatre on July 20, has at least reached a point in his career where some retrospection is natural. Lawrence Specker | Lspecker@al.com, al, 11 July 2023 The land stands to remain vacant with room only for their retrospection if the historical designation stays. Lateshia Beachum, Washington Post, 14 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retrospection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retrospection was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near retrospection

Cite this Entry

“Retrospection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retrospection. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

retrospection

noun
ret·​ro·​spec·​tion ˌre-trə-ˈspek-shən How to pronounce retrospection (audio)
1
: the act or power of recalling the past
2

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