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
The new design, which will be incorporated into everything from phones to watches to iPads, is meant to make every element on screen appear more fluid and reactive to movement.
—
John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 June 2025
The most reactive free radicals are called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which come from oxygen.3
What Free Radicals Do
Your body produces free radicals as a normal part of helping with some bodily functions.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 June 2025
This reactive approach overlooks strong candidates who bring growth potential.
—Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
According to the Tylenol team, the move into supplements was strategic in order to be able to offer consumers both reactive support with medication and proactive support with this new product.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 June 2025
The most reactive free radicals are called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which come from oxygen.3
What Free Radicals Do
Your body produces free radicals as a normal part of helping with some bodily functions.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 June 2025
This reactive approach overlooks strong candidates who bring growth potential.
—Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
According to the Tylenol team, the move into supplements was strategic in order to be able to offer consumers both reactive support with medication and proactive support with this new product.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive
Adjective
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Dating rocks involves using radiometric techniques that harness the natural and spontaneous radioactive decay of certain elements in the rock, which acts as a type of clock.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
27 June 2025
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If a dog park is too much, just walking your pup around your neighborhood or visiting local breweries or restaurants with dog-friendly patios can lead to spontaneous chats and recurring friendly encounters.—
Sunny Hubler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
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Just two decades ago, most people voted using mechanical levers or punch cards.—
Bruce Schneier,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Whisker Litter-Robot 4: $699 (Litter Robot) The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 is an automatic litter box known for its sleek design, quiet operation and strong odor control with its sealed waste drawer and carbon filter.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
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Earlier this month, men’s and women’s basketball added a coaches challenge and removed automatic replays for out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes for the sake of game flow.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 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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Is the show of regret a conditioned response associated with receiving a less severe punishment?—
Charlotte Hu,
Discover Magazine,
31 July 2011
Adjective
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But the system isn’t as simple as the governor suggests.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2025
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While to some these screen-free devices may seem like a return to the early, simpler days of fitness trackers, Werring says the public is a bit more savvy than the step-counting obsessives of the 2010s.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactive. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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