Synonyms of react

react

verb

rē-ˈakt 

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

• respond
• reply
• answer
• return
• understand
• read
• interpret
• manage
• retaliate
• handle
• negotiate
• construe
• cope (with)
• take
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• act
• cause
• affect
• behave
• draw
• effect

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of react

People reacting to the post called it a sign of nature taking its course. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

More than 80 employees reacted with approving emojis, and the first reply was excited and appreciative. — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

That’s the difference between reacting after an adversary has momentum and removing the conditions that enable exploitation. — Taylor Morgan, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Insects that react to petrichor will also have to adjust their behavior, Nielsen says. — Gregory Wakeman, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026