re
ac
tive
Comparative
more reactive
Superlative
most reactive
1
acting in response to a situation rather than initiating or controlling it
- 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.