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
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
Shifting the emphasis from basic budgeting to applied financial thought should assist people of all ages in making deliberate rather than reactive decisions.
—Martin Mulyadi, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
Beyond aesthetics, my skin felt stronger, less reactive, and healthier.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
This reactive model stems from the historical development of Western medicine, which has excelled at addressing acute conditions like infections, injuries, and emergencies.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
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.
Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Shifting the emphasis from basic budgeting to applied financial thought should assist people of all ages in making deliberate rather than reactive decisions.
—Martin Mulyadi, Baltimore Sun, 12 Mar. 2025
Beyond aesthetics, my skin felt stronger, less reactive, and healthier.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 7 Mar. 2025
This reactive model stems from the historical development of Western medicine, which has excelled at addressing acute conditions like infections, injuries, and emergencies.
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reactive
Cite this Entry
“Reactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactive. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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
Share