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
Her programme consisted of single-leg stability exercises, jumps and landings, as well as reactive drills to prepare her for the next big step — running.
—
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Confident, skilled sales teams fuel proactive selling instead of reactive scrambling.
—Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
These strategies can help your nervous system become less reactive over time, which can be especially helpful when dealing with uncontrollable triggers like weather.
—Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 10 July 2025
The iPad also has fast, reactive Wi-Fi that makes getting your work and projects done easier than ever.
—Christopher Murray
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, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
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Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Confident, skilled sales teams fuel proactive selling instead of reactive scrambling.
—Julie Thomas, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
These strategies can help your nervous system become less reactive over time, which can be especially helpful when dealing with uncontrollable triggers like weather.
—Danielle Wilhour, The Conversation, 10 July 2025
The iPad also has fast, reactive Wi-Fi that makes getting your work and projects done easier than ever.
—Christopher Murray
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, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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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