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
Forest’s Elliot Anderson reacted, chasing the ball and leaving space behind that Zubimendi then passed into to find Riccardo Calafiori in the centre circle.
—
Art De Roché, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In susceptible people, the immune system reacts too strongly to minor exposures, creating chronic inflammation.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Fort Worth community members reacted to the fatal shooting inside a West 7th bar early Sunday, with some calling it senseless violence as police work to find the suspects.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025
But Torkelson didn’t react in time, was hung out to dry and was doubled up, ending the threat.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
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Art De Roché, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
In susceptible people, the immune system reacts too strongly to minor exposures, creating chronic inflammation.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
Fort Worth community members reacted to the fatal shooting inside a West 7th bar early Sunday, with some calling it senseless violence as police work to find the suspects.
—Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025
But Torkelson didn’t react in time, was hung out to dry and was doubled up, ending the threat.
—Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 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 8 Oct. 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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