retrospect
Meaning: The act of looking back on or reviewing past events, situations, or experiences, typically with a clearer understanding than was possible at the time.
Retrospect almost always appears in the phrase 'in retrospect,' which signals a reassessment of something that has already happened. It implies that hindsight has brought new clarity or a changed judgement. The word is common in journalism, memoirs, and academic reflection, and carries a slightly rueful or philosophical tone. Collocations include 'in retrospect,' 'on retrospect,' and 'with the benefit of retrospect.'
Examples
- In retrospect, the decision to delay the merger proved to be the right one. 回顾起来,推迟合并的决定被证明是正确的。En retrospectiva, la decisión de retrasar la fusión resultó ser la correcta.振り返ってみると、合併を延期するという決断は正しかったことが証明された。돌이켜 보면, 합병을 연기한 결정은 옳았던 것으로 입증되었다.
- The policy looked sound at the time, but retrospect reveals a series of missed warning signs. 那项政策在当时看似合理,但事后回顾揭示了一系列被忽视的警告信号。La política parecía acertada en su momento, pero la retrospectiva revela una serie de señales de alarma ignoradas.その政策は当時は妥当に見えたが、回顧すると一連の見逃された警告の兆候が浮かび上がる。그 정책은 당시에는 타당해 보였으나, 회고해 보면 일련의 간과된 경고 징후가 드러난다.
- With the benefit of retrospect, the committee acknowledged that the original targets had been overly ambitious. 借助事后回顾的优势,委员会承认最初的目标过于雄心勃勃。Con la ventaja de la retrospectiva, el comité reconoció que los objetivos originales habían sido demasiado ambiciosos.後知恵の恩恵を得て、委員会は当初の目標が過度に野心的であったことを認めた。뒤돌아볼 수 있는 이점을 바탕으로, 위원회는 당초 목표가 지나치게 야심적이었음을 인정했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, academic, professional
Tone: reflective
Origin & History
From Latin retrospectus, past participle of retrospicere (to look back), from retro- (back) and specere (to look). Entered English in the early 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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