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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Recent Examples of reactive
The new design, which will be incorporated into everything from phones to watches to iPads, is meant to make every element on screen appear more fluid and reactive to movement.
—
John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 June 2025
The most reactive free radicals are called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which come from oxygen.3
What Free Radicals Do
Your body produces free radicals as a normal part of helping with some bodily functions.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 June 2025
This reactive approach overlooks strong candidates who bring growth potential.
—Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
According to the Tylenol team, the move into supplements was strategic in order to be able to offer consumers both reactive support with medication and proactive support with this new product.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
John Ruwitch, NPR, 9 June 2025
The most reactive free radicals are called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which come from oxygen.3
What Free Radicals Do
Your body produces free radicals as a normal part of helping with some bodily functions.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 7 June 2025
This reactive approach overlooks strong candidates who bring growth potential.
—Nadia Edwards-Dashti, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
According to the Tylenol team, the move into supplements was strategic in order to be able to offer consumers both reactive support with medication and proactive support with this new product.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reactive
Adjective
-
The digital nomad trend is growing and maturing Gen Z’s approach to location independence is less spontaneous and more strategic.—
Andrew Fennell,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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In a completely spontaneous decision, Flom sat down and got one of his ears pierced with a sparkling stud, and Haven’s reaction was priceless.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Modern vehicles aren’t just mechanical marvels anymore—they’re software platforms on wheels.—
John Ellis,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
Speciale is a twin-turbo V-6 engine that, combined with an electric motor, makes 867 mechanical horsepower.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Luke Williams, the automatic runner, took off for third, before briefly turning back to second, unsure of where to go.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
18 June 2025
-
Earlier this month, men’s and women’s basketball added a coaches challenge and removed automatic replays for out-of-bounds calls in the final two minutes for the sake of game flow.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Before becoming a cofounder, Hildreth worked in roles that many would dismiss as mundane: mechanic, logistics officer and government contractor.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Home in foreclosure, a mobile mechanic Online records show that his Canby Street home was in foreclosure last year and sold in September for $60,000.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 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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In his formal lecture to the Academy, Campbell offered some reflections on the simple science that gave rise to the treatment, and to its wide array of applications.—
Benjamin Mazer,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2025
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While to some these screen-free devices may seem like a return to the early, simpler days of fitness trackers, Werring says the public is a bit more savvy than the step-counting obsessives of the 2010s.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reactive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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