reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction or reactance

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

Monday episodes will offer reactive analysis following the past weekend’s race drama, while Thursday episodes will dive deep into the biggest story of the week alongside interviews with big names on the F1 circuit. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026

The second is deliberate pacing, which allows institutions to provide depth and historical framing rather than reactive commentary. —William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026

Putting your heart in can be good; getting reactive, not so much. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026

Episodes will drop twice a week with Monday episodes offering fast, reactive analysis of the weekend’s racing drama and Thursday episodes going deeper into the story of the week, alongside big-name interviews. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reactive

• C-reactive protein
• hyper-reactive
• reactive arthritis

Rhymes for reactive

• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• active
• tractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Kids Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of or relating to reaction

2

: reacting or tending to react

reactively adverb

reactiveness noun

reactivity

(ˌ)rē-ˌak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

a

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction

reactive symptoms

a reactive process

b

: capable of reacting chemically

highly reactive materials

2

a

: readily responsive to a stimulus

the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons

—Louis Tuft

b

: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism

reactive depression