reactive
Americanadjective
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tending to react.
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pertaining to or characterized by reaction.
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Electricity. pertaining to or characterized by reactance.
adjective
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readily partaking in chemical reactions
sodium is a reactive metal
free radicals are very reactive
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of, concerned with, or having a reactance
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responsive to stimulus
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(of mental illnesses) precipitated by an external cause
reactive depression
Other Word Forms
- antireactive adjective
- hyperreactive adjective
- nonreactive adjective
- overreactive adjective
- reactively adverb
- reactiveness noun
- reactivity noun
- unreactive adjective
Etymology
Origin of reactive
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.
“Putting structure around family support allows retirees to give intentionally and confidently rather than reactively and helps ensure that generosity strengthens the plan instead of undermining it.”
From MarketWatch
“Because the course is coming at you fast and you need to be reactive.”
From Los Angeles Times
Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage if they are not controlled.
From Science Daily
Gold is becoming less reactive to individual economic data releases.
From MarketWatch
Neutrophils are known to aid colorectal tumor growth by releasing reactive molecules that can damage DNA in the cells lining the gut.
From Science Daily
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.
