retrospection

[ re-truh-spek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the action, process, or faculty of looking back on things past.
2. a survey of past events or experiences.

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrospection¹

First recorded in 1625–35; retrospect + -ion

Example Sentences

Yet at its best, the Robertson tribute — produced by Nashville’s Blackbird Presents, which also put on Willie Nelson’s two-night 90th-birthday extravaganza last year at the Hollywood Bowl — had a liveliness that cut through the many-layered retrospection of it all.

From Los Angeles Times

The closer these characters come to Amis himself — most recently in the retrospection of “The Pregnant Widow” and “Inside Story” — the more overt this generational mapping becomes.

From New York Times

The reason why I didn’t write anything about them is I felt completely uncomfortable pretending that they were capable of being known, and especially by me — I knew that was a false, romantic retrospection onto some photographs of people I once loved.

From Los Angeles Times

Naturally, such a skid prompts retrospection and underscores the importance of these next few weeks.

From Seattle Times

For Sartino, that means retrospection; she listens back to old songs — including “Hands Down,” a 2015 release with nearly 28 million Spotify streams — with nostalgia.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• alteration
• amendment
• improvement
• modification
• reconsideration
• reexamination
• review