as in spontaneous
done in immediate response to something especially without thinking or planning
He realized his aggressive response to their criticisms had been reactive. The board stressed the need for a less reactive and more proactive approach to problem-solving.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reactive
With the help of the first family that tried to adopt her, Natalia escaped and was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, according to People.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The antioxidants in apples may neutralize reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that promote cell damage), reducing the risk of certain health conditions, like heart disease.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025
With only 650 investigators on staff at the Department of Labor in charge of enforcing minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws – as of late 2024 – enforcement is mostly reactive.
—Xóchitl Bada, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2025
Behavioral research shows that people alarmed by sensational news tend to make reactive choices against their long-term interests.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
The antioxidants in apples may neutralize reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that promote cell damage), reducing the risk of certain health conditions, like heart disease.
—Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025
With only 650 investigators on staff at the Department of Labor in charge of enforcing minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws – as of late 2024 – enforcement is mostly reactive.
—Xóchitl Bada, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2025
Behavioral research shows that people alarmed by sensational news tend to make reactive choices against their long-term interests.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive
Adjective
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Mentorship, professional development, and spontaneous idea-sharing are harder to replicate in virtual settings.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Gaga’s brassy belt brings out one of the album’s most passionate vocals from Bennett, who even lets out a spontaneous laugh toward the end of the song.—
Kristen S. Hé,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Mar. 2025
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On Facebook, the city government shared images of cracks in the walls of the lazy river, rust in the mechanical room and chipping concrete on a pedestrian bridge.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The conferences that are awarded automatic bids are: Atlantic Hockey America (AHA), Big Ten, Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC), Hockey East, and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Kemper said part of the uptick was related to other enforcement operations — specifically people picked up for other crimes then attacking the arresting officers, an automatic felony.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In the footage, a large coastal carpet python rests on a mechanic shop's floor.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
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His current mechanic shop is basically a retirement hobby, something to pass the time.—
Zach Helfand,
The New Yorker,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As the protagonist Ben in Night of the Living Dead (1968), Duane Jones unveiled a distinct facet of pre-conditioned Black martyrdom.—
Malik Peay,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2023
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Is the show of regret a conditioned response associated with receiving a less severe punishment?—
Charlotte Hu,
Discover Magazine,
31 July 2011
Adjective
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Martha Stewart and Mila Kunis carried ones that looked like this simple option.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
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Pair them with a simple T-shirt to grab a coffee at a cafe.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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