reactive

[ree-ak-tiv] /riˈæk tɪv/

adjective

tending to react.

pertaining to or characterized by reaction.

Electricity. pertaining to or characterized by reactance.

Origin

1705-15; react + -ive

Related forms

reactively, adverb

reactiveness, noun

antireactive, adjective

hyperreactive, adjective

nonreactive, adjective

overreactive, adjective

unreactive, adjective

Can be confused

Examples from the web for reactive

When the coating gets scratched, the polyurethane rings break open, creating two reactive ends.
When a coral is broken or wounded, it releases highly reactive atoms of oxygen known as free radicals to close up the gashes.
Many say the agency became more reactive than proactive.
As the reactive branch of government, the federal judiciary has been disinclined to get too closely involved.
Instead of being flexible and responsive, the existing structure is rigid and reactive.
They're at risk for burnout, grief and reactive depression and need coping strategies themselves.
The system might more properly be described as reactive, in that it responds to sound waves already headed toward human ears.
Community policing is a broad term generally meaning an approach to law enforcement that's proactive instead of reactive.
The wind energy industry typically uses a reactive maintenance approach or run-to-failure maintenance.
Also, an ever present problem with energetic water reactive materials is humidity.

British Dictionary definitions for reactive

/rɪˈæktɪv/

adjective

readily partaking in chemical reactions: sodium is a reactive metal, free radicals are very reactive

of, concerned with, or having a reactance

responsive to stimulus

(of mental illnesses) precipitated by an external cause: reactive depression

Derived Forms

reactively, adverb
reactivity (ˌriːækˈtɪvɪtɪ), reactiveness, noun

Word Origin and History for reactive

adj.

1712, from react + -ive. Related: Reactively; reactiveness; reactivity.

reactive in Medicine

reactive re·ac·tive (rē-āk'tĭv)
adj.