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

The result is process control that is reactive by design. —Hamid Noori, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

This likely led to a buildup of heat in the pressurized tank filled with 7,000 gallons of a highly reactive liquid chemical called methyl methacrylate, or MMA, which can be used to make items such as Plexiglass as well as household goods. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Without centralized ownership, trust remains reactive instead of managed deliberately as a business discipline. —Jonathan Jordan, Fortune, 27 May 2026

Argudo said the board has been in a reactive mode and wants to see more bold actions. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 27 May 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

• active
• tractive
• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• 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