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
What to watch next The numbers won’t be too reactive to early season results, but there will be breakout players all over the country that will move the needle.
—
Jenny Caitlin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
By catching vulnerabilities early and offering precise fixes, Aardvark could shift cybersecurity from reactive defense to continuous, proactive protection.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Combine the two in a non-reactive container and stir.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
The temptation to make reactive changes based on small sample sizes is constant.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Jenny Caitlin, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
By catching vulnerabilities early and offering precise fixes, Aardvark could shift cybersecurity from reactive defense to continuous, proactive protection.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Combine the two in a non-reactive container and stir.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
The temptation to make reactive changes based on small sample sizes is constant.
—Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive
Adjective
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While spontaneous mentions of high prices increased for a fifth month, inflation expectations eased over the longer term.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
-
This could look like spontaneous travel plans, shifting your career focus or even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This is due to inevitable issues relating to mechanical faults, maintenance fatigue, and, of course, human error.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The battle for the Group of 5 automatic bid is wide open in Week 11.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
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Say, for example, that a restaurant’s menu states that an automatic 18% charge will be added to all bills for parties of six or more customers.—
Cheryl Winokur Munk,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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For example, ads for mechanic positions were predominantly shown to men, while those for preschool teacher roles were primarily directed to women.—
Carlotta Dotto,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Donegan, who is twenty-eight, grew up in small-town Virginia, in a family that owned an assortment of local businesses—a tobacco farm, a mechanic shop, an electricity company.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 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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The new formula is infused with a luscious blend of flower oils so that lashes feel conditioned and supple to the touch.—
Daisy Maldonado,
SELF,
13 Sep. 2022
Adjective
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According to Bruce Blair, a former Air Force launch officer and nuclear policy expert, between 1962 and the mid-1970s the most powerful digits on the globe were simple – eight zeros.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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That something as simple as a COVID vaccine might improve survival in cancer patients receiving standard immunotherapy has taken oncologists by surprise — in a good way.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactive. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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