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

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid-ceramide blend, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin Best For: Acne-prone and sensitive skin types, in need of skincare that won't make their complexions more reactive. —Akili King, Vogue, 12 May 2025

By analyzing granular, real-time data, insurers can now personalize risk scoring, streamline claims and prevent fraud, transforming what was once reactive into something responsive and fair. —Akhilesh Sharma, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Getting ahead of the problem The notice and takedown mechanism is fundamentally reactive. —Sylvia Lu, The Conversation, 8 May 2025

For the past decade, platforms—and Meta in particular—have been highly reactive to political events, moving from crisis to crisis and angering critics in the process. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 5 May 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