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
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Recent Examples of reacting
Perkins is currently the subject of an active recall effort by neighbors reacting to his vote in favor of $6 billion tax breaks for an incoming $150 billion hyperscale AI data center, among other decisions made throughout Perkins’ 18 years representing the district on and off.
—
Ilana Arougheti
june 11, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and other hosts, the series will premiere on June 10 and run throughout the World Cup, reacting to the tournament action through Friedland’s comedic lens.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 June 2026
That’s how critics are reacting to Steven Spielberg‘s latest film, the sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day, which sees the legendary filmmaker return to the topic of extraterrestrial beings and the philosophical implications of our place in the universe.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
People were reacting with screams and literally jumping out of their seats.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
In many ways, autonomy is simply the continuation of a decades-long trend in aviation, which is technology to help crews stay ahead of the aircraft rather than constantly reacting to it.
—Tim Burns, Fortune, 9 June 2026
At 130 miles an hour, authorities said a vehicle would travel roughly the length of a football field before the driver could even begin reacting.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Instead of reacting to circumstances, the vehicle will anticipate them.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Empathy, clarity in communication and the ability to pause before reacting are not abstract concepts.
—Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Ilana Arougheti
june 11, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Joined by The Ringer’s Chris Ryan and other hosts, the series will premiere on June 10 and run throughout the World Cup, reacting to the tournament action through Friedland’s comedic lens.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 10 June 2026
That’s how critics are reacting to Steven Spielberg‘s latest film, the sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day, which sees the legendary filmmaker return to the topic of extraterrestrial beings and the philosophical implications of our place in the universe.
—Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026
People were reacting with screams and literally jumping out of their seats.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 June 2026
In many ways, autonomy is simply the continuation of a decades-long trend in aviation, which is technology to help crews stay ahead of the aircraft rather than constantly reacting to it.
—Tim Burns, Fortune, 9 June 2026
At 130 miles an hour, authorities said a vehicle would travel roughly the length of a football field before the driver could even begin reacting.
—Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Instead of reacting to circumstances, the vehicle will anticipate them.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Empathy, clarity in communication and the ability to pause before reacting are not abstract concepts.
—Niurys Robaina, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reacting
responding
Verb
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Former Senate and House Democratic Leader Chris Smith said the party had been navigating a complicated landscape in responding to Wasserman Schultz’s actions.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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There are 75 personnel actively responding on the ground to the Texas screwworm outbreak, with hundreds more providing laboratory, logistics and air operations support nationwide, according to the USDA.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reacting. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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