reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv 
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset
reactive depression
reactively
adverb
reactiveness
noun
Examples of reactive in a Sentence
The government's response to the problem was reactive rather than proactive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Harry, meanwhile, feels reactive.
—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Patagonia’s approach reflects the importance of defining core values and non-negotiables early, before growth pressures force reactive decisions.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, created chemical reactions that generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) – oxygen-containing molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, that readily react with other substances thanks to unstable electrons.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Carbon-fluorine bonds are usually known by chemists to be non-reactive.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reactive
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.
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Patagonia’s approach reflects the importance of defining core values and non-negotiables early, before growth pressures force reactive decisions.
—Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
This, in turn, created chemical reactions that generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) – oxygen-containing molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, that readily react with other substances thanks to unstable electrons.
—New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026
Carbon-fluorine bonds are usually known by chemists to be non-reactive.
—Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
: of or relating to reaction
2
: reacting or tending to react
Medical Definition
reactive
adjective
re·ac·tive
rē-ˈak-tiv
1
2
a
: readily responsive to a stimulus
the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons—Louis Tuft
Louis Tuft
b
: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism
reactive depression
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
