reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv 
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset
reactive depression
reactively
adverb
reactiveness
noun
Examples of reactive in a Sentence
The government's response to the problem was reactive rather than proactive.
Recent Examples on the Web
The law—that reactive, slow thing—never quite catches up to technology, whether it’s been given one year or 100.
—
Sohini Desai, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2024
Antioxidants are substances that protect against cellular damage by neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals.
—Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 2 July 2024
This action shouldn’t just be reactive to the next big headline-grabbing public tragedy, as sadly likely as the next one is to come soon.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024
Marijuana plants emit lots of terpene, which is a highly reactive, volatile organic compound and an active ingredient of pesticides.
—John Michael Pierobon, Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reactive 
Sohini Desai, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2024
Antioxidants are substances that protect against cellular damage by neutralizing reactive compounds called free radicals.
—Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 2 July 2024
This action shouldn’t just be reactive to the next big headline-grabbing public tragedy, as sadly likely as the next one is to come soon.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 1 July 2024
Marijuana plants emit lots of terpene, which is a highly reactive, volatile organic compound and an active ingredient of pesticides.
—John Michael Pierobon, Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reactive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reactive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
: of or relating to reaction
2
: reacting or tending to react
Medical Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons—Louis Tuft
Louis Tuft
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism
reactive depression
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