React: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when discussing an immediate or instinctive response to a stimulus or situation, often emotional.

• She didn't know how to react when she heard the news.
• He reacted angrily to the criticism.

Used when discussing a considered reply or engagement, often in a formal or structured context.

• He responded to the email promptly.
• The company needs to respond to the customer complaints effectively.

Used when referring to taking intentional or deliberate action, often related to behavior or performance.

• He decided to act decisively to solve the problem.
• The actor performed his role with great skill.

Used when referring to replying to a question or addressing a specific query or request.

• She didn't know how to answer his difficult question.
• Please answer the phone.

Used when describing a response to a stimulus or action, often in a general or everyday sense. It can also be used in scientific contexts, but mainly focuses on the response aspect.

• She didn't know how to react to the surprising news.
• The chemicals will react when mixed together.

Primarily used in laboratory settings to describe a substance or compound that is added to a system to cause a chemical reaction or to see if a reaction occurs. This term is very specialized and is rarely used outside of scientific contexts.

• The scientist added the reagent to the solution to observe the reaction.
• We need to order more reagents for the lab experiments.

Commonly used to describe a substance made up of two or more elements chemically bonded together. Can also refer to something consisting of multiple parts. This term is heavily utilized in scientific discussions, particularly in chemistry.

• Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
• The company has a large compound with multiple buildings.