reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv 
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset
reactive depression
reactively
adverb
reactiveness
noun
Examples of reactive in a Sentence
The government's response to the problem was reactive rather than proactive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Recognize leaders and professionals who are preventative, not just reactive.
—
Paula Davis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
But the tanks, which contain a highly reactive liquid chemical known as methyl methacrylate, or MMA, used to make materials such as plexiglass, are still at the facility.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
The highly reactive halves can then react with other molecules to form new molecules at considerably lower temperatures than would have otherwise been required.
—Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for reactive
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Paula Davis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The move suggests a broader shift in Tehran, where a new generation of leaders is increasingly abandoning the cautious, reactive approach that long defined the Islamic Republic’s strategy towards its adversaries.
—Abbas Al Lawati, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
But the tanks, which contain a highly reactive liquid chemical known as methyl methacrylate, or MMA, used to make materials such as plexiglass, are still at the facility.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
The highly reactive halves can then react with other molecules to form new molecules at considerably lower temperatures than would have otherwise been required.
—Chris Lee, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
: of or relating to reaction
2
: reacting or tending to react
Medical Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons—Louis Tuft
Louis Tuft
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism
reactive depression
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