Definition

To try to understand or explain something that happened in the past by using information from the present.

Example

Scientists often retrodict past climate conditions using current data.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Have you ever tried to retrodict what happened during that big game last year?

Not really, but I heard it was a crazy match with a lot of unexpected twists.

Yeah, I think it would be fun to retrodict the key moments and see if we can figure out what went wrong for our team.

That sounds interesting! It could help us understand how to improve for the next season.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Retrodict is formed from "retro-" (meaning backward) and "dict" (from Latin "dicere", meaning to say or tell). The word refers to the act of saying or inferring something about the past.

Memory Tip

Think of looking 'backward' ('retro-') to 'say' or 'tell' ('dicere') something about what has already happened.

Visually Confused Words