REACTION Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

reaction

noun

rē-ˈak-shən

Definition of reaction

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 reaction Complications can include bleeding, infection, an allergic reaction to the anesthetic or a transplant that does not take as expected. — Ascend Agency, Sun Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026 Judging by the reaction from various members of the media, Russini did little this week to improve perceptions of her. — Bobby Burack, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026 When the show was announced, there was so much audience reaction over who was or was not Mormon. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026 In the 1980s, the scientists Thomas Cech and Sidney Altman independently discovered that some RNA molecules also act as enzymes that catalyze, or activate, biochemical reactions; this research won them a Nobel Prize. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 12 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reaction

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reaction

Noun

In early 2025, the organization relaunched its rapid response online efforts under a new brand, @FactPostNews, an account intentionally designed to look like an independent news aggregator, not a messaging arm of the party.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Nov. 2026
Such was the most measured response to the sequence that ultimately cursed the Panthers’ Sunday evening in Bank of America Stadium.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of response

Noun

The researchers further found that UQ-DAAAM improved the accuracy of answers to questions about objects, their locations, and when the robot last encountered them.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Aquarius January 20 – February 18 Not knowing the answer could be the most useful part of today’s lesson.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026