backdate

American  

[bak-deyt] / ˈbækˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

backdated, backdating

1. to date earlier than the actual date; predate; antedate.

   Backdate the letter so he'll think I wrote it last week.

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backdate British  

/ ˌbækˈdeɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to make effective from an earlier date

   the pay rise was backdated to August

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Etymology

Origin of backdate

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50; back ² + date ¹

Example Sentences

They may not backdate documents, pressure cognitively impaired clients, transfer funds to their own accounts or add themselves as joint owners without clear authorization.ves as a joint account owner without consent.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

The commission has also accused Lee of helping Englander backdate checks to repay the businessman who comped the hotel rooms.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2025

They accepted the deal in September after the company agreed to backdate the increase by an extra month.

From Reuters • Dec. 23, 2022

The government already said three weeks ago that it aimed to backdate the measure to February.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 22, 2022

V. misdate, antedate, postdate, backdate, overdate†; anticipate; take no note of time, lose track of time; anachronize†.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark