react
verb (used without object)
to act in response to an agent or influence.
had been reacting
-
past perfect progressiveof react.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And their experience was actually quite mellow compared to other flotillas because of how social media had been reacting to it.
From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2025
Ms. Dingell had been reacting to a grievance-filled Christmas message on Truth Social from Mr. Trump.
From New York Times ● Dec. 27, 2023
Some in the audience had been reacting to Depp’s somewhat muddled response to his attorney’s question about what movie franchises he had been in before he was dropped from “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2022
Daniel Kawczynski had been reacting to a report about staff complaints against him that also alleged harassment.
From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2022
He had been reacting only to the dollar amount, which he found excessive, she said.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 4, 2022
