Reactive: meaning, definitions and examples

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reactive

[rɪˈæktɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

chemistry

Showing a response to a stimulus. Reacting with other substances.

Synonyms

responsive, responsive, sensitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reactive	This word is often used to describe a situation where someone or something acts in response to an event or stimulus, usually without prior planning. It can have a negative connotation if it suggests a lack of proactivity or foresight. The team was criticized for their reactive approach to the crisis. Reactive maintenance can lead to increased long-term costs.
responsive	This word is used to describe someone or something that reacts quickly and positively to changes, requests, or needs. It often has a positive connotation, implying attentiveness and adaptability. The company prides itself on being responsive to customer feedback. She was very responsive to the new training program, implementing changes almost immediately.
sensitive	This word is commonly used to describe someone who is easily affected by external factors or who can detect or feel things acutely. It can be used positively to indicate empathy and awareness, or negatively to suggest vulnerability or overreaction. He's very sensitive to criticism, so be careful with your feedback. The equipment is sensitive to temperature changes and should be handled carefully.

Word

Description / Examples

reactive

This word is often used to describe a situation where someone or something acts in response to an event or stimulus, usually without prior planning. It can have a negative connotation if it suggests a lack of proactivity or foresight.

The team was criticized for their reactive approach to the crisis.
Reactive maintenance can lead to increased long-term costs.

responsive

This word is used to describe someone or something that reacts quickly and positively to changes, requests, or needs. It often has a positive connotation, implying attentiveness and adaptability.

The company prides itself on being responsive to customer feedback.
She was very responsive to the new training program, implementing changes almost immediately.

sensitive

This word is commonly used to describe someone who is easily affected by external factors or who can detect or feel things acutely. It can be used positively to indicate empathy and awareness, or negatively to suggest vulnerability or overreaction.

He's very sensitive to criticism, so be careful with your feedback.
The equipment is sensitive to temperature changes and should be handled carefully.

Examples of usage

The reactive nature of certain chemical compounds makes them dangerous to handle.
The reactive elements in the solution caused a rapid color change.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

behavior

Reacting to a situation rather than planning ahead. Quick to respond.

Synonyms

impetuous, impulsive, spontaneous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reactive	Used when describing someone who responds quickly to stimuli or events, typically without much prior thought. It can suggest a lack of planning or anticipation. She is very reactive in emergencies, often jumping into action without a second thought. His reactive nature meant he frequently found himself in trouble.
impulsive	Describes someone who makes decisions quickly based on their feelings or desires rather than logic. It has a slightly negative connotation but also suggests spontaneity. She is known for her impulsive shopping habits, often buying things she doesn't need. His impulsive remark during the meeting caused a lot of confusion.
spontaneous	Used to describe actions that are done suddenly without planning, often in a positive or neutral sense. It suggests a natural and unpremeditated response. Their spontaneous road trip turned out to be the best vacation ever. He made a spontaneous decision to throw a surprise party for his friend.
impetuous	Typically used to describe someone who acts hastily or without consideration of the consequences. It has a slightly negative connotation and can imply recklessness. His impetuous decision to invest all his money in one stock led to significant financial loss. The impetuous teenager bought a motorcycle on a whim.

Examples of usage

Her reactive approach to problem-solving led to immediate action, but sometimes lacked long-term strategy.
The CEO's reactive decision-making style caused instability within the company.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'reactive' comes from the Latin 'reactivus', which means 'able to act again' or 'to respond', highlighting its nature of responding to stimuli.
It entered the English language in the early 19th century, originally used mostly in scientific contexts.
The prefix 're-' signifies 'again' or 'back,' indicating a return or response to a previous state.

Science

In chemistry, reactive substances are those that readily participate in chemical reactions, transforming into new substances.
The concept of reactivity is crucial in understanding how different elements interact, such as why some metals react vigorously with water while others do not.
In psychology, reactive behavior refers to immediate emotional responses to stimuli, which can help gauge how individuals process their environment.

Technology

In computer programming, 'reactive programming' is a paradigm focused on asynchronous data streams and the propagation of change.
Applications using reactive programming can respond to user inputs in real-time, enhancing user experience and interactivity.
Modern web frameworks often leverage reactive principles to improve the performance and responsiveness of applications.

Culture

In social contexts, people who are described as reactive may be seen as emotional or quick to show their feelings, affecting their interpersonal relationships.
The term contrasts with 'proactive,' which refers to taking initiative rather than waiting for something to happen before responding.
In literature and film, characters labeled as reactive often bring a dynamic element to the story, showcasing growth or change in reaction to pivotal events.

Education

In the classroom, reactive teaching involves adapting to student feedback and engagement in real-time rather than sticking rigidly to a plan.
Projects that encourage reactive learning allow students to engage more with their environment, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Establishing an environment that supports reactive learning can empower students to explore subjects with enthusiasm and adaptability.

Translations

Translations of the word "reactive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reativo

🇮🇳 प्रतिक्रियाशील

🇩🇪 reaktiv

🇮🇩 reaktif

🇺🇦 реактивний

🇵🇱 reaktywny

🇯🇵 反応性のある

🇫🇷 réactif

🇪🇸 reactivo

🇹🇷 reaktif

🇰🇷 반응하는

🇸🇦 تفاعلي

🇨🇿 reaktivní

🇸🇰 reaktívny

🇨🇳 反应的

🇸🇮 reaktiven

🇮🇸 viðbragðsfljótur

🇰🇿 реактивті

🇬🇪 რეაქტიული

🇦🇿 reaktiv

🇲🇽 reactivo

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,482 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7479 vertically
7480 acoustic
7481 awaiting
7482 reactive
7483 compass
7484 cautious
7485 freeze
...