REACTIVE Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

reactive

adjective

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 reactive Copper The reactive nature of copper can interact with the snail's electrolyte-rich mucus, which then creates a tiny electric shock similar to the way a battery functions. —

Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026 Battery waste Battery waste in India is regulated through a distinct set of rules addressing the environmental and health risks posed by heavy metals and reactive chemicals. —

Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026 Over time, these tools can help turn budgeting from something reactive into a consistent financial habit. —

Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 14 May 2026 For years, the department had become increasingly reliant on a reactive hiring model that, while effective at addressing immediate staffing shortages, masked underlying weaknesses within the broader hiring process. —

Joy Lepola-Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reactive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive

Adjective

But energy itself – raucous, coordinated and diligently trained on every shot – seems largely spontaneous and self-generated.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
From scenic highways and spontaneous detours to roadside inns and vintage diners, road trips offer a certain kind of freedom and ambiance that a flight can simply never replicate.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026