How to pronounce retroactively
Say it like ret-roh-AK-tiv-lee. Retroactively has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retroactively. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ret
- roh
- AK
- tiv
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retroactively pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- retGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of retroactively
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ret-roh-AK-tiv-lee.
What does retroactively mean?
- Done after the fact; applying to events that have previously transpired.“The new legislature passed a resolution retroactively legalizing the actions of the revolutionaries that brought them to power.”
Where does retroactively come from?
From retroactive + -ly.
Words that rhyme with retroactively
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retroactively.
Questions about saying retroactively
How do you pronounce retroactively?
Say ret-roh-AK-tiv-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌrɛtroʊˈæktɪvli/. In British English it is /ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪvli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retroactively?
Retroactively has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AK). Broken into parts: ret · roh · AK · tiv · lee.
Is retroactively pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌrɛtrəʊˈæktɪvli/ (ret-roh-AK-tiv-lee).