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

Those with avoidant attachment tend to suppress their emotions and withdraw from emotionally demanding interactions, while those with anxious attachment are often emotionally reactive and insecure in relationships. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

The reason is that Sagittarius is an impulsive sign that is super reactive and doesn't focus on the consequences of their actions. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 4 Nov. 2025

What to watch next The numbers won’t be too reactive to early season results, but there will be breakout players all over the country that will move the needle. —Jenny Caitlin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

The result is a high-surface-area, highly reactive solution that efficiently captures hydrogen sulfide. —Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 3 Nov. 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