reacted; reacting; reacts
1
: to exert a reciprocal or counteracting force or influence
—often used with on or upon
2
: to change in response to a stimulus
3
: to act in opposition to a force or influence
—usually used with against
4
: to move or tend in a reverse direction
5
: to undergo chemical reaction
: to cause to react
Examples of react in a Sentence
When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger.
I didn't expect him to react that way.
The firefighters reacted quickly when they heard the alarm.
He reacted badly to the drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Oily, fatty, and greasy food do not react well to plastic and should be put in better alternatives, like glass, according to our experts.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Bainbridge said people can react to either alcohol or cannabis differently, even in limited amounts.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Even with flaws, emergency managers and the public are conditioned to understand or react to high numbers on scales.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after making a three-point basket during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on May 01, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
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Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Bainbridge said people can react to either alcohol or cannabis differently, even in limited amounts.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025
Even with flaws, emergency managers and the public are conditioned to understand or react to high numbers on scales.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after making a three-point basket during the second quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome on May 01, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
react
verb
re·act
rē-ˈakt 
1
: to act or behave in response (as to stimulation or an influence)
the colonists reacted to the tax by boycotting tea
2
: to oppose a force or influence
—usually used with against
reacted against their unfair treatment
3
: to go through or cause to go through a chemical reaction
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