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
Fans were quick to react to the intimate performance Twain gave.
—
Marina Watts, People.com, 28 May 2025
For traders who respond to events, historical trends may present a favorable position, whether by preparing in advance of earnings or reacting to movements after the release.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Reframe Weed As Wellness Shine your light on the good instead of being on the defense, reacting or responding to what is false.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
Those researchers were using that technology to study how certain organs react to radiation therapy.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for react
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Marina Watts, People.com, 28 May 2025
For traders who respond to events, historical trends may present a favorable position, whether by preparing in advance of earnings or reacting to movements after the release.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Reframe Weed As Wellness Shine your light on the good instead of being on the defense, reacting or responding to what is false.
—Lindsey Bartlett, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
Those researchers were using that technology to study how certain organs react to radiation therapy.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 27 May 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 Jun. 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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