as in to respond
to act or behave in response (as to a stimulus or influence)
it was my first touchdown, and I didn't know how to react to the cheers of the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of react
As recently as Friday morning, markets were looking at a better than 50% probability of a quarter percentage point increase amid expectations the Fed would react to the surge in energy costs.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Delaware Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick is reassigning two cases involving Musk after the chancellor allegedly reacted in support of a LinkedIn post that criticized the Tesla founder.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Still, Powell reiterated that the Fed’s long‑run focus remains on stability rather than reacting to every geopolitical shock.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacted to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) policy to bar males from women’s competitions on Friday.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for react
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Delaware Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick is reassigning two cases involving Musk after the chancellor allegedly reacted in support of a LinkedIn post that criticized the Tesla founder.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Still, Powell reiterated that the Fed’s long‑run focus remains on stability rather than reacting to every geopolitical shock.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
American Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz, who identifies as transgender nonbinary, reacted to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) policy to bar males from women’s competitions on Friday.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for react
Recent Examples of Synonyms for react
respond
Verb
-
Immediately after a 7-0 run from the Huskies, the Gamecocks responded to outscore them 11-4 over the final four minutes of the first quarter fueled by an aggressive defensive effort.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Thomure’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the sentencing.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/react. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
