reactance

noun

re·​ac·​tance rē-ˈak-tən(t)s How to pronounce reactance (audio)
: the part of the impedance of an alternating-current circuit that is due to capacitance or inductance or both and that is expressed in ohms

Examples of reactance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
This reaction is familiar to most of us, and in a society like the United States, which places a high value on individual liberties, reactance to a loss of autonomy can be intense. Ryan Anderson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 While some organizations may choose to endure the storm of reactance to enforce compliance regardless of the consequences, there are other approaches that can improve office attendance without inciting employee backlash. Ryan Anderson, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 Communication scholars and health officials consider reactance when crafting public health campaigns. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2022 Reverse psychology is regularly used to spark reactance. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2022 This would be an embodiment of reactance theory. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 29 May 2021 That’s called psychological reactance. Megan Schmidt, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2020 In 1966, psychologist Jack Brehm suggested the theory of reactance. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2022 The reactance theory describes the unpleasant feeling that emerges when people experience a threat to behaving freely. Sahar Arshad, Discover Magazine, 17 May 2021

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reactance was circa 1893

Dictionary Entries Near reactance

Cite this Entry

“Reactance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactance. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

reactance

noun
re·​ac·​tance rē-ˈak-tən(t)s How to pronounce reactance (audio)
: the part of the impedance of an alternating-current circuit that is due to capacitance or inductance or both and that is expressed in ohms

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