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
If Trump’s most extreme tariff threats come to fruition and threaten the stability of prices and the economy, the Fed must react forcefully.
—
Steven B. Kamin, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025
Your body reacts as if the worst-case scenario is already unfolding, triggering panic, frustration and helplessness.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Our onsite team reacted quickly, following our incident response action plan, closing off the affected area.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Following the public announcement that Bryce would be suiting up as an Arizona Wildcat, dad LeBron reacted with a social media post of his own.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for react 
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.
Steven B. Kamin, National Review, 2 Jan. 2025
Your body reacts as if the worst-case scenario is already unfolding, triggering panic, frustration and helplessness.
—Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Our onsite team reacted quickly, following our incident response action plan, closing off the affected area.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Following the public announcement that Bryce would be suiting up as an Arizona Wildcat, dad LeBron reacted with a social media post of his own.
—Danielle Jennings, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for react
Dictionary Entries Near react
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 15 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share