as in responding
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reacting
Empathy, clarity in communication and the ability to pause before reacting are not abstract concepts.
—
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Residents in Hollywood Beach, as well as tourists, have been reacting to the news that the body of a woman was found on Wednesday evening.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Or, at least, not outwardly reacting.
—Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
But in filming that, there was this playground to explore, by means of reacting off a still life, instead of reacting off something that had movement and breath, like another actor or even an animal.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Second, before reacting, question who profits from online outrage, a highly profitable emotion.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
On Tuesday, hours before the show’s reunion was broadcast on TV, more than 500 fans packed an AMC in New York City for a special screening, reacting with cheers and jeers as cast members confronted the fallout involving Batula, Wilson, Cooke and Ciara Miller.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Trading on speculation With Iran negotiations being the key concern of markets at the moment, though without much information to act on, UBS’s Paul Donovan is warning investors against reacting to hints and rumors.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026
When that structure exists, the organization stops reacting and starts operating strategically.
—Shivaas Gulati, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Residents in Hollywood Beach, as well as tourists, have been reacting to the news that the body of a woman was found on Wednesday evening.
—Marybel Rodriguez, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Or, at least, not outwardly reacting.
—Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 3 June 2026
But in filming that, there was this playground to explore, by means of reacting off a still life, instead of reacting off something that had movement and breath, like another actor or even an animal.
—Carita Rizzo, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Second, before reacting, question who profits from online outrage, a highly profitable emotion.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
On Tuesday, hours before the show’s reunion was broadcast on TV, more than 500 fans packed an AMC in New York City for a special screening, reacting with cheers and jeers as cast members confronted the fallout involving Batula, Wilson, Cooke and Ciara Miller.
—Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 27 May 2026
Trading on speculation With Iran negotiations being the key concern of markets at the moment, though without much information to act on, UBS’s Paul Donovan is warning investors against reacting to hints and rumors.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 May 2026
When that structure exists, the organization stops reacting and starts operating strategically.
—Shivaas Gulati, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reacting
responding
Verb
-
Supply disruptions have also hit hard in Europe and Africa, where countries are responding to rising fuel costs and a considerable threat to food security.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Nassau County Police said officers were responding to a domestic disturbance call.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reacting. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
