reactive

[ ree-ak-tiv ]

adjective

1. tending to react.
2. pertaining to or characterized by reaction.
3. Electricity. pertaining to or characterized by reactance.

reactive

/ rɪˈæktɪv; ˌriːækˈtɪvɪtɪ /

adjective

1. readily partaking in chemical reactions

   free radicals are very reactive

   sodium is a reactive metal

2. of, concerned with, or having a reactance
3. responsive to stimulus
4. (of mental illnesses) precipitated by an external cause

   reactive depression

Derived Forms

• reˈactively, adverb
• reactivity, noun

Other Words From

• re·active·ly adverb
• re·active·ness noun
• anti·re·active adjective
• hyper·re·active adjective
• nonre·active adjective
• over·re·active adjective
• unre·active adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reactive¹

First recorded in 1705–15; react + -ive

Example Sentences

"Locking these kids up is just a reactive way to go about it," says Darren Damaso, a youth leader for Brother 2 Another.

From BBC

Burgos said that, for her, abolition means moving away from “reactive” law enforcement responses and toward expanded social services, such as job training, job placements and mental health care.

From Los Angeles Times

By bonding, the medicine transforms the reactive metals into benign molecules that have little interest in interacting with different compounds in the body.

From Los Angeles Times

If you have a rescue dog, you probably have witnessed how the abuse or neglect it may have experienced earlier in life now influence its behavior – these pets tend to be more skittish or reactive.

From Salon

“I just don’t want to be too reactive,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conscious
• delicate
• emotional
• hypersensitive
• keen
• nervous
• perceptive
• precise
• receptive
• responsive
• susceptible
• tense
• touchy
• tricky
• unstable