proactive

[proh-ak-tiv]

adjective

1. serving to prepare for, intervene in, or control an expected occurrence or situation, especially a negative or challenging one; anticipatory.

   The new guidelines will help industry employers develop proactive measures to keep their workplaces safe.

proactive

/ prəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events

2. psychol of or denoting a mental process that affects a subsequent process

Other Word Forms

• proactive noun
• proactivity noun
• proactiveness noun
• proactively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proactive¹

First recorded in 1930–35; pro- ¹ + active

Word History and Origins

Origin of proactive¹

C20: from _pro- ² + ( _re ) _active

Example Sentences

He’d also like to see the office take a more proactive approach instead of only responding to individuals’ complaints.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Only by proactively embracing change can we remain invincible in this revolution,” Hu Wangming, chairman of one of China’s largest steel groups, told state media this year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Defenders could step out more proactively to block shots, chances could be stopped at source, or a more positionally aware defensive midfielder could focus on defending this zone.

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Here, you try to be as proactive as possible, but often it’s reactive.

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“Starting November 24, we are taking the extraordinary step of proactively removing the ability for users under 18 in the U.S. to engage in open-ended chats with AI on our platform.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does proactive mean?

Proactive is the opposite of reactive. Actions that are proactive are initiated not in reaction to a situation but instead out of a desire to make a positive change, prepare for a situation, or prevent something from happening.Proactive is commonly used to describe people who take such actions. It’s also commonly used in the phrase proactive measures, meaning proactive actions, especially those done to prevent a negative situation.Example: Henry credits most of his success to being proactive instead of waiting for opportunities to come to him.