reacted; reacting; reacts
1
: to exert a reciprocal or counteracting force or influence
—often used with on or upon
2
: to change in response to a stimulus
3
: to act in opposition to a force or influence
—usually used with against
4
: to move or tend in a reverse direction
5
: to undergo chemical reaction
: to cause to react
Examples of react in a Sentence
When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger.
I didn't expect him to react that way.
The firefighters reacted quickly when they heard the alarm.
He reacted badly to the drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of reacting out of habit, curious individuals ask questions like What is the most important task right now?
—
Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Manager Alex Cora reacts after a double play in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 23, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In a statement to Variety, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reacted to the Supreme Court news, first reported by Reuters.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 30 June 2025
Investors will only have half a day to react: U.S. markets close early Thursday and are dark Friday.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Manager Alex Cora reacts after a double play in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on June 23, 2025 in Anaheim, California.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
In a statement to Variety, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reacted to the Supreme Court news, first reported by Reuters.
—Andrew Flanagan, Variety, 30 June 2025
Investors will only have half a day to react: U.S. markets close early Thursday and are dark Friday.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
react
verb
re·act
rē-ˈakt 
1
: to act or behave in response (as to stimulation or an influence)
the colonists reacted to the tax by boycotting tea
2
: to oppose a force or influence
—usually used with against
reacted against their unfair treatment
3
: to go through or cause to go through a chemical reaction
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share