react
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to act in response to an agent or influence.
How did the audience react to the speech?
-
to act reciprocally upon each other, as two things.
-
to act in a reverse direction or manner, especially so as to return to a prior condition.
-
to act in opposition, as against some force.
-
to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner.
reacting to a shock by jumping; to react to the word “coward” with anger.
-
to undergo a chemical reaction.
verb
-
(intr; foll by to, upon etc) (of a person or thing) to act in response to another person, a stimulus, etc, or (of two people or things) to act together in a certain way
-
to act in an opposing or contrary manner
-
(intr) physics to exert an equal force in the opposite direction to an acting force
-
chem to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction
Etymology
Origin of react
First recorded in 1635–45; re- + act, probably modeled on Medieval Latin reagere
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.
Historically, emerging markets have reacted more harshly to U.S. downturns than developed ones, but the risks may not be as great today.
From Barron's
The Swiss franc barely reacted on the inflation data.
Russia and China, which have invested tens of billions of dollars and considerable diplomatic capital in the Maduro regime, have reacted with restraint.
They will react to stress on the nodes that keep its economy functioning: secure communications, continuity of government, ports and logistics hubs, undersea cables, satellite links, supply chains, and financial systems.
From Barron's
They will react to stress on the nodes that keep its economy functioning: secure communications, continuity of government, ports and logistics hubs, undersea cables, satellite links, supply chains, and financial systems.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
