as in responds
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 reacts
That means the foods to eat (and avoid) depend on learning what your body reacts to.
—
Gagandeep Brar, Health, 11 June 2026
Congress reacts in the summer of 1866 by enacting the Fourteenth Amendment in Congress.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
This ground-level ozone can form when carbon monoxide gas emitted by wildfires chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 8 June 2026
Russia's Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning the final tennis match at the French Open in Paris, Saturday, June 6, 2026.
—CBS News, 6 June 2026
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama reacts during the fourth quarter.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 29, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
—Justina Lee, CNBC, 2 June 2026
If the truck driver reacts a second too late, a tragedy could occur.
—David Julian, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
In this June 1, 1984 photo Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, left, reacts as his blocked by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers, right, in Game 2 of the NBA championship series at the Boston Garden.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Gagandeep Brar, Health, 11 June 2026
Congress reacts in the summer of 1866 by enacting the Fourteenth Amendment in Congress.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
This ground-level ozone can form when carbon monoxide gas emitted by wildfires chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 8 June 2026
Russia's Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning the final tennis match at the French Open in Paris, Saturday, June 6, 2026.
—CBS News, 6 June 2026
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama reacts during the fourth quarter.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on March 29, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
—Justina Lee, CNBC, 2 June 2026
If the truck driver reacts a second too late, a tragedy could occur.
—David Julian, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
In this June 1, 1984 photo Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, left, reacts as his blocked by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers, right, in Game 2 of the NBA championship series at the Boston Garden.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reacts
responds
Verb
-
Regular caffeine consumption changes the way your brain responds to it, and that’s the foundation of tolerance.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
Law enforcement responds to an active shooting scene on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Midland, Texas.—
Mark Osborne,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reacts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reacts. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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