as in spontaneous
done in immediate response to something especially without thinking or planning
He realized his aggressive response to their criticisms had been reactive. The board stressed the need for a less reactive and more proactive approach to problem-solving.
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Recent Examples of reactive
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic-acid-ceramide blend, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin Best For: Sensitive skin types in need of skin care that won’t make their complexions more reactive.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025
Muscle fatigue can result from highly unstable reactive molecules or lactic acid buildup.6 Mangosteen may reduce physical fatigue from exercise due to its antioxidant properties.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Organizations that move from reactive to proactive SaaS security tend to see their average incident response times drop.
—Amir Khayat, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Residents can safely dispose of products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025
Muscle fatigue can result from highly unstable reactive molecules or lactic acid buildup.6 Mangosteen may reduce physical fatigue from exercise due to its antioxidant properties.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025
Organizations that move from reactive to proactive SaaS security tend to see their average incident response times drop.
—Amir Khayat, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Residents can safely dispose of products containing corrosive, toxic, ignitable or reactive substances.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive
Adjective
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This eight-episode Netflix Arctic comedy is a must-watch about a young Inuk woman who wants to build a new future for herself and her daughter after a spontaneous split from her husband.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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What followed was a whirlwind of emergency vet visits, a spontaneous adoption and a shocking diagnosis that led to a major surgery.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Born in 1934, the nonagenarian Kurt Klaus is one of the most important watchmakers from the golden age of 20th-century mechanical horology.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
15 Aug. 2025
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Driving through deep water can also affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The shift to a traditional automatic is a welcome retreat from old frustrations, the turbo’d engine is a step towards efficiency, and the cabin pivots firmly into the modern era.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
-
At that point, benefits would be funded solely through incoming payroll taxes, triggering an automatic cut of around 21 percent unless Congress takes action.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another customer says the soap works wonders for their mechanic husband and is powerful enough to remove dirt and grease.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 July 2025
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Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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As the protagonist Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1968), Duane Jones unveiled a distinct facet of pre-conditioned Black martyrdom.—
Malik Peay,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2023
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Is the show of regret a conditioned response associated with receiving a less severe punishment?—
Charlotte Hu,
Discover Magazine,
31 July 2011
Adjective
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But it was intended to be a simple, three-course meal, the documents showed.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
16 Aug. 2025
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In North Carolina, Republicans are a few votes shy of a supermajority in one chamber but still control the redistricting process because the state’s congressional maps are not subject to veto and therefore can be passed by a simple majority in the legislature.—
Elena Shao,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactive. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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