reactive

[ree-ak-tiv]

adjective

1. tending to react.

2. pertaining to or characterized by reaction.

3. Electricity.,  pertaining to or characterized by reactance.

reactive

/ rɪˈæktɪv, ˌriːækˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. readily partaking in chemical reactions

   sodium is a reactive metal

   free radicals are very reactive

2. of, concerned with, or having a reactance

3. responsive to stimulus

4. (of mental illnesses) precipitated by an external cause

   reactive depression

Other Word Forms

• reactively adverb
• reactiveness noun
• antireactive adjective
• hyperreactive adjective
• nonreactive adjective
• overreactive adjective
• unreactive adjective
• reactivity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reactive¹

First recorded in 1705–15; react + -ive

Example Sentences

“Grateful and so appreciative for the incredible team at The Skin Associates and their fast, reactive work on removing this basal cell carcinoma. Thank you!”

From Salon

In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Ramsay wrote he was "grateful and so appreciative" to his medical team for their "fast reactive work".

From BBC

"Detection and mitigation must shift towards being proactive and preventative, not reactive after harm is done," she said.

From BBC

Gowdy, who refused to push for gun control measures while serving as a representative, said that our “reactive” system of government can only tolerate so much death before something changes.

From Salon

Hypervigilance is the name of the game when you have a reactive dog.

From Salon

Related Words

• conscious 
• delicate 
• emotional 
• hypersensitive 
• keen 
• nervous 
• perceptive 
• precise 
• receptive 
• responsive 
• susceptible 
• tense 
• touchy 
• tricky 
• unstable