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
Her claim to be pursuing legal action against Torre isn't the first time Hudson has publicly reacted to his coverage of her high-profile relationship with Belichick.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
The design improves how ions move and how the battery reacts chemically.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
One shot revisits a scene from the first film — this time from a new angle — showing Glinda whispering to Elphaba, who reacts with a smirk.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Nov. 2025
Walker was reacting to the news that Madison officials identified a preferred site for a possible Amtrak station, which could be in service by 2032 and offer three to four daily round trips between Madison and Milwaukee.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
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Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
The design improves how ions move and how the battery reacts chemically.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Nov. 2025
One shot revisits a scene from the first film — this time from a new angle — showing Glinda whispering to Elphaba, who reacts with a smirk.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Nov. 2025
Walker was reacting to the news that Madison officials identified a preferred site for a possible Amtrak station, which could be in service by 2032 and offer three to four daily round trips between Madison and Milwaukee.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 23 Nov. 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 28 Nov. 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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