part of speech: noun. definition: reflection on the past or on past events or achievements.

In retrospect — that is, in looking back and contemplating the past — we sometimes find ourselves wishing that we had done some things differently. Though this word most commonly appears as a noun in the phrase “in retrospect,” it can also be used as a verb.

verb (used without object) to look back in thought; refer back (often followed by to): to retrospect to a period in one’s youth.

: a looking back on things past In retrospect, I made the right decision. What made you want to look up retrospect?

ret·ro·spect To look back on or think about (things past). In looking back on or reviewing the past. [From Latin *retrōspectus, past participle of retrōspicere, to look back at : retrō-, retro- + specere, to look at; see spek- in Indo-European roots.] ret′ro·spec′tion n.

A retrospective narrative is when the story being told is not happening at the time the narrator is describing it. Retrospective narratives highlight changes in the narrator because of and since the events of the story transpired.

1 : tight, constricted. 2 : marked by rigor, strictness, or severity especially with regard to rule or standard stringent decontamination procedures.

The Forms of Retrospect

retrospect. Antonyms: prognostication, anticipation, speculation, forecasting, prophecy, prospect. Synonyms: review, survey, recollection, reminiscence, reconsideration.

: a reflective looking inward : an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings.

retrospect (n.) 1600, “a regard or reference” (to something), from Latin retrospectum, past participle of retrospicere “look back,” from retro- “back” (see retro-) + specere “look at” (from PIE root *spek- “to observe”). Meaning “survey of past events” is from 1660s.

Synonyms & Antonyms of retrospection

• reappraisal,
• reconsideration,
• reexamination,
• retrospect,
• review.

1 : the state of being interfered with, held back, or slowed down : the state of being hindered hindrance of speech. 2 : a person or thing that interferes with or slows the progress of someone or something : impediment a hindrance to learning.

Hindrances are usually things, such as events or circumstances, but a person can be considered a hindrance, such as when they hinder someone else’s progress or work by interrupting them, getting in their way, or putting obstacles in their way.

hinder. (transitive) To make difficult to accomplish; to frustrate, act as obstacle. (transitive) To keep back; to delay or impede; to prevent.

the action, fact, or instance of occurring. something that happens; event; incident: We were delayed by several unexpected occurrences.