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

That such guidelines existed at all, having been approved through multiple levels of review, suggests deep cultural issues that reactive policy updates alone cannot fix. —Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025

Fulham’s fanbase don’t come across as a reactive, provocative bunch, but in the worst-case scenario of Muniz leaving and new signings still not forthcoming, their patience would be tested. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025

Antioxidant supplements Antioxidants are supposed to help reduce oxidative stress, an imbalance in reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralize them, which causes cellular damage that is thought to contribute to cancer. —New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2025

For those with sensitive or reactive skin, this lightweight mist keeps things simple with just nine ingredients. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 9 Aug. 2025

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