reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction or reactance

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

Word History

First Known Use

1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reactive

• C-reactive protein
• hyper-reactive
• reactive arthritis

Kids Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of or relating to reaction

2

: reacting or tending to react

reactively adverb

reactiveness noun

reactivity

(ˌ)rē-ˌak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

a

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction

reactive symptoms

a reactive process

b

: capable of reacting chemically

highly reactive materials

2

a

: readily responsive to a stimulus

the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons

—Louis Tuft

b

: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism

reactive depression