REACTION Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

reaction

noun

rē-ˈak-shən

as in response

action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior we were startled by her extreme reaction to being jilted by her boyfriend

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of reaction That’s why there was such a large reaction to allegations of fraud in Minnesota. —

Jess Huff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 Performances of the song by school a cappella groups have been met with strongly positive reactions and standing ovations. —

Caché McClay, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026 After that, the film basically offers a series of reactions. —

Damon Wise, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026 The second half of the finale is focused on the family’s reaction to John and Carolyn’s deaths, specifically that of Caroline Kennedy (Grace Gummer) and Ann Marie Messina (Constance Zimmer). —

Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reaction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaction

Noun

Dunn pointed to when Bannon tried to rally the crowd on the main stage at CPAC around the war in Iran, but was met with a lackluster response.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
His responses are supported by pre-programmed gestures, like waving, to make interactions more natural.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 28 Mar. 2026