Synonyms of react

react

verb

rē-ˈakt 

as in to respond

to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence)

it was my first touchdown, and I didn't know how to react to the cheers of the crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

• respond
• reply
• answer
• return
• understand
• read
• interpret
• manage
• retaliate
• handle
• negotiate
• construe
• cope (with)
• take
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• act
• cause
• affect
• behave
• draw
• effect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of react

Under public pressure, the Norwegian parliament reacted remarkably fast, closing major areas to all fishing after just nine months of deliberation. —Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

Martin Scorsese, Patti Smith, King Charles, and J.D. Vance are among those reacting to the death of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at age 88. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025

Nearly 5,000 people reacted and over 1,700 shared their comments. —Maureen MacKey, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Despite their attempt at reverse Darwinism, Democrats appear stuck on reacting one by one to waves of disinformation rather than — since their whole-is-greater-than-the-sum -of-its-parts — reframing the narrative to get back on offense. —Mark Green, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025