reacted; reacting; reacts
1
: to exert a reciprocal or counteracting force or influence
—often used with on or upon
2
: to change in response to a stimulus
3
: to act in opposition to a force or influence
—usually used with against
4
: to move or tend in a reverse direction
5
: to undergo chemical reaction
: to cause to react
Examples of react in a Sentence
When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger.
I didn't expect him to react that way.
The firefighters reacted quickly when they heard the alarm.
He reacted badly to the drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
See list of the closures in 15 states Internet reacts with memes and jokes after journalist added to national security group chat A fitness influencer's elaborate 'morning routine' goes viral.
—
Mike Snider, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Other tour crew members also react to the incident throughout the footage, with an off-camera person asking several of them to share their highlight of the night.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Once the gelatin dissolves enough to allow water to reach the magnesium, however, the magnesium reacts with the water, forming air bubbles.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025
Will Smith reacted by walking up on stage and slapping Rock across the face.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
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Mike Snider, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Other tour crew members also react to the incident throughout the footage, with an off-camera person asking several of them to share their highlight of the night.
—Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Once the gelatin dissolves enough to allow water to reach the magnesium, however, the magnesium reacts with the water, forming air bubbles.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025
Will Smith reacted by walking up on stage and slapping Rock across the face.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
react
verb
re·act
rē-ˈakt 
1
: to act or behave in response (as to stimulation or an influence)
the colonists reacted to the tax by boycotting tea
2
: to oppose a force or influence
—usually used with against
reacted against their unfair treatment
3
: to go through or cause to go through a chemical reaction
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