plural retcons
: the act, practice, or result of changing an existing fictional narrative by introducing new information in a later work that recontextualizes previously established events, characters, etc.
Could Bail's Backstory—and by extension the childhood of Princess Leia—suddenly be getting a retcon?—Ryan Britt
The character has done everything from going into dormancy after losing his powers to being destroyed to being brought back via retcon …—Sage Ashford
Then came the series finale, and one of the most famous—and, depending on one's perspective, fascinating or infuriating—retcons in the history of TV.—Emily Nussbaum
retconned; retconning; retcons
: to apply a retcon to (a fictional story, character, event, etc.)
The Sherlock Holmes character has been retconned dozens of times in various media.—Peter Hartlaub
The revival won't be retconning the original ending.—Marco Vito
Cite this Entry
“Retcon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retcon. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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