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 bloc’s strategy is mostly defensive and reactive, focused on protecting Europe from China’s unfair trade practices, Russian aggression, or the United States’ potential imposition of sweeping tariffs.
—
Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
While messing around in camp, the reactive lighting mode was annoying to me.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Leaders who can receive criticism without becoming defensive or reactive demonstrate emotional intelligence.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Like a corporate fire drill, this preparation meant that when real issues arose, our response was instinctive rather than reactive.
—Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reactive 
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.
Agathe Demarais, Foreign Affairs, 14 Nov. 2024
While messing around in camp, the reactive lighting mode was annoying to me.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Leaders who can receive criticism without becoming defensive or reactive demonstrate emotional intelligence.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
Like a corporate fire drill, this preparation meant that when real issues arose, our response was instinctive rather than reactive.
—Sidharth Ramsinghaney, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reactive
Dictionary Entries Near reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 1 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share