Dictionary.com

react

[ ree-akt ]
/ riˈækt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: react / re-acted / re-acting on Thesaurus.com
verb (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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of react

1635–45; re- + act, probably modeled on Medieval Latin reagere

Words nearby react

reach for the sky, reaching jib, reach-me-down, reach rod, reacquire, react, reactance, reactant, reaction, reactionary, reaction chamber

Other definitions for react (2 of 2)

re-act
[ ree-akt ]
/ riˈækt /
verb (used with object)
to act or perform again.

Origin of re-act

First recorded in 1650–60; re- + act
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to react

acknowledge, act, answer, behave, counter, feel, perform, proceed, reply, revert, backfire, boomerang, echo, function, operate, rebound, reciprocate, recoil, recur, return

How to use react in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for react (1 of 2)

react
/ (rɪˈækt) /
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
(intr foll by against) 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

Word Origin for react

C17: from Late Latin reagere, from re- + Latin agere to drive, do

British Dictionary definitions for react (2 of 2)

re-act
/ (riːˈækt) /
verb
(tr) to act or perform again
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK