responsive

[ ri-spon-siv ]

adjective

1. responding especially readily and sympathetically to appeals, efforts, influences, etc.:

   a responsive government.

   Synonyms: receptive, sympathetic, understanding

2. Physiology. acting in response, as to some stimulus.
3. characterized by the use of responses:

   responsive worship.

responsive

/ rɪˈspɒnsɪv /

adjective

1. reacting or replying quickly or favourably, as to a suggestion, initiative, etc
2. (of an organism) reacting to a stimulus

Derived Forms

• reˈsponsiveness, noun
• reˈsponsively, adverb

Other Words From

• re·sponsive·ly adverb
• hyper·re·sponsive adjective
• hyper·re·sponsive·ly adverb
• hyper·re·sponsive·ness noun
• nonre·sponsive adjective
• nonre·sponsive·ly adverb
• quasi-re·sponsive adjective
• quasi-re·sponsive·ly adverb
• unre·sponsive adjective
• unre·sponsive·ly adverb
• unre·sponsive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of responsive¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Late Latin word respōnsīvus. See response, -ive

Example Sentences

It lets conservatives seem responsive without giving more power to the Justice Department.

From The Daily Beast

Nancy, according to her mother, was at least somewhat responsive to the environment, often happy and engaged.

From The Daily Beast

Although he was scared at first, he became confident as he felt the crowd being responsive to his reading.

From The Daily Beast

Troops and their families count on high-quality education and responsive universal health care.

From The Daily Beast

And, with the work of the auto task force, GM was supposed to be made leaner, and more responsive.

From The Daily Beast

The voice of the orator peculiarly should be free from studied effects, and responsive to motive.

From Project Gutenberg

No drooping Clytie could be more constant than I to him who strikes the chord that is responsive in my soul.

From Project Gutenberg

The order was promptly obeyed, and the helm shoved hard a-port, but there was no responsive sheer.

From Project Gutenberg

It struck sharp on her senses; she almost consciously thanked heaven for such a responsive set of nerves.

From Project Gutenberg

Gradually as the speaker developed his subject the faces changed, and they were soon responsive to his every demand upon them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• active
• aware
• compassionate
• conscious
• reactive
• receptive
• sensible
• sensitive
• susceptible
• sympathetic