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.
“We had to balance being responsive to the market without being too reactive to it,” Buscher said.
“By doing so, we can ensure our messaging is clear and consistent, allowing us to create our own narrative rather than reactive responses.”
From Los Angeles Times
Previous research has shown that MPs DOM can produce reactive oxygen species, influence the formation of disinfection byproducts, and alter how pollutants attach to particles in water.
From Science Daily
These reactive substances can break down organic molecules on the surface and alter many atmospheric chemicals.
From Science Daily
Base metals are common, reactive, and often useful in manufacturing, like copper, zinc, nickel, and tin.
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.
