reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction or reactance

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

Inserting neutrons into the uranium mix forces some of them to transform into a more reactive material, such as the isotope plutonium-239. — Mike McRae 06, New Atlas, 6 Oct. 2026

When your skin feels especially reactive, calming ingredients like Centella asiatica, madecassoside, and Coptis japonica root step in. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Oct. 2026

The statement came only after Thomas called out the commissioner, intensifying criticism that the league had been reactive throughout the controversy. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

The report concludes that resilience must become a core strategic priority rather than a reactive response to crises. — Mitch New, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reactive

• C-reactive protein
• hyper-reactive
• reactive arthritis

Rhymes for reactive

• active
• tractive
• attractive
• contractive
• extractive
• inactive
• proactive
• refractive
• subtractive
• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive

Kids Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

: of or relating to reaction

2

: reacting or tending to react

reactively adverb

reactiveness noun

reactivity

(ˌ)rē-ˌak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

reactive

adjective

re·​ac·​tive rē-ˈak-tiv 

1

a

: of, relating to, or marked by reaction

reactive symptoms

a reactive process

b

: capable of reacting chemically

highly reactive materials

2

a

: readily responsive to a stimulus

the skin of the geriatric is less reactive than that of younger persons

—Louis Tuft

b

: occurring as a result of stress or emotional upset especially from factors outside the organism

reactive depression