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reactive

1 of 1adjective
/ri:.æk.tɪv/
Forms:more reactive,most reactive
1

acting in response to a situation rather than initiating or controlling it

C2
  • The company remained reactive instead of taking a proactive approach.
  • A reactive policy waits for problems to occur before addressing them.
  • Some managers are reactive, dealing with crises as they arise.
  • In a reactive system, changes are implemented only after feedback is received.
  • The government's reactive measures came too late to prevent the disaster.
Antonyms:
2

responding to a stimulus, signal, or influence rather than acting independently

  • Pupils are reactive to light, contracting and dilating as needed.
  • The patient's skin was reactive to the allergen.
  • Plants are reactive to changes in temperature and humidity.
  • Certain materials are highly reactive to pressure or vibration.
  • The immune system is reactive to foreign pathogens.
Synonyms:
3

having a tendency to undergo chemical reactions

  • Sodium is highly reactive with water.
  • The compound is reactive at room temperature and must be handled carefully.
  • Reactive gases like chlorine can be dangerous if not stored properly.
  • The mixture contains several reactive substances that could ignite spontaneously.
  • Hydrogen is reactive with oxygen under certain conditions.