responsive

adjective

re·spon·sive ri-ˈspän(t)-siv

Synonyms of responsive next

: giving response : constituting a response : answering

a responsive glance

responsive aggression

: quick to respond or react appropriately or sympathetically : sensitive

: using responses

a responsive liturgy

responsively adverb

responsiveness noun

Did you know?

Responsive comes from the joining of Latin responsus with the suffix -ivus, which gave English -ive. That suffix changes verbs into adjectives, as in suggestive or corrosive. Responsus is a form of respondēre, which means "to answer" and is the source of English's respond. Responsive enters the language with the meaning "giving response" or "answering." Examples are "a responsive letter" or "a responsive glance." Nowadays, it variously describes people or things that immediately respond or react to something, such as "a responsive audience" or "a car with responsive steering."

Examples of responsive in a Sentence

The patient was not responsive to the treatment. The store is very responsive to the needs of its customers.

Recent Examples on the Web Chronic mild to moderate inflammation of the trachea lasting six to eight weeks or longer, which is minimally or not responsive to antibiotics. —

Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2023 The new electric power steering system feels more responsive due to a quicker steering ratio, and the interior design includes a standard 8-inch central touchscreen and optional 14-inch screen (the largest in the midsize truck category). —

Karl Brauer, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 The image quality and colors are top-notch, and the responsive, immersive screen makes for a fantastic gaming experience. —

Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2023 This is a stiff, precise, and responsive boot ideal for advanced skiers. —

Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2023 In such cases, antibiotic susceptibility testing (also known as antibiotic sensitivity testing) may be used to determine if a person's infection is responsive to penicillin. —

Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023 The responsive vibrations of the DualSense wireless controller bring Peter Parker’s symbiote abilities and Miles Morales’ bio-electric skills to your fingertips. —

Rudie Obias, Variety, 10 Nov. 2023 Best streaming device for Apple fans Pros Extremely responsive Lots of Apple-specific bonus features Cons Higher price Minimal benefit for non-Apple users The Apple TV 4K takes the best and worst of Apple’s design decisions and puts them in a streaming device. —

Geoffrey Morrison, wsj.com, 9 Nov. 2023 The sheriff said deputies responding to the rallies found Kessler conscious and responsive, but with injuries to his head and mouth. —

Julie Sharp, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'responsive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.