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Definitions

reactive

[ree-ak-tiv] / riˈæk tɪv /
ADJECTIVE
responsive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
active aware compassionate conscious receptive sensible sensitive susceptible sympathetic
WEAK
acknowledging alive answering awake bleeding-heart forthcoming impressionable influenceable kindhearted open passionate perceptive persuadable replying respondent sensile sentient sharp softhearted susceptive tender warm warmhearted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignorant impassive indifferent insensitive merciless senseless unaware unconscious unfeeling unfriendly unsusceptible
WEAK
unresponsive
ADJECTIVE
sensitive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conscious delicate emotional hypersensitive keen nervous perceptive precise receptive responsive susceptible tense touchy tricky unstable
STRONG
acute feeling fine knowing psychic seeing understanding
WEAK
cognizant easily affected emotionable high-strung hung up impressible irritable oversensitive perceiving precarious sensatory sensile sensorial sensory sentient supersensitive ticklish touchy feely tuned-in turned on to umbrageous wired
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm ignorant imprecise insensitive laid-back loose strong unaware unresponsive unsusceptible
WEAK
heartless impassive indifferent numb thick-skinned unfeeling
ADJECTIVE
susceptive
Synonyms
WEAK
acute cognizant conscious delicate easily affected emotionable emotional feeling fine high-strung hung up hypersensitive impressible impressionable irritable keen knowing nervous oversensitive perceiving perceptive precarious precise psychic receptive responsive seeing sensatory sensible sensile sensorial sensory sentient supersensitive susceptible tense ticklish touchy touchy feely tricky tuned-in turned on to umbrageous understanding unstable wired

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This lightweight metal is highly reactive, meaning it can quickly undergo chemical reactions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

The wide-ranging proposals say reactive action would be insufficient, and online marketplaces would need to "act with due care to prevent, identify and remove dangerous products being sold via their platforms".

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The point of all this: AI is helping course managers be proactive regarding the pace of play rather than reactive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“I think a lot of it is coming out and being the aggressors first, trying not to be reactive to situations, and we can do that starting with our defense,” Leger-Walker said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Thyon’s response didn't bode well, in its broader context—about mesarthium not being reactive with anything.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Vocabulary lists containing reactive

Chemical Reactions - Introductory

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Matter and Energy 2: Properties of Matter, Chemical Reactions, and Energy

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The State of the Union Address 2015

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