react

verb

re·​act rē-ˈakt How to pronounce react (audio)
reacted; reacting; reacts

intransitive verb

1
: to exert a reciprocal or counteracting force or influence
often used with on or upon
2
: to change in response to a stimulus
3
: to act in opposition to a force or influence
usually used with against
4
: to move or tend in a reverse direction
5
: to undergo chemical reaction

transitive verb

: to cause to react

Examples of react in a Sentence

When I told her what happened, she reacted with anger. I didn't expect him to react that way. The firefighters reacted quickly when they heard the alarm. He reacted badly to the drug.
Recent Examples on the Web Indiana politicians reacted to the first 2024 face-off between President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump on Thursday, which touched on topics ranging from immigration to golf handicaps. Tyler Spence, The Indianapolis Star, 28 June 2024 Like Mayer, Hoehne reacted not by scheming to burn it all down—in her view, the Trumpists and petroleum companies were taking care of that—but by trying to fireproof the system. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 27 June 2024 The interview clip resurfaced again this past week when NBC’s social media pages shared a clip of Michael Phelps watching the interview for the first time and reacting angrily. Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024 Fans react to the Qimir reveal On X, formerly Twitter, fans sounded off on the episode and its reveal: How to watch 'The Acolyte' The Acolyte is streaming on Disney+. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 26 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for react 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'react.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin reactus, past participle of reagere, from Latin re- + agere to act — more at agent

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of react was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near react

Cite this Entry

“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

react

verb
re·​act rē-ˈakt How to pronounce react (audio)
1
: to act or behave in response (as to stimulation or an influence)
the colonists reacted to the tax by boycotting tea
2
: to oppose a force or influence
usually used with against
reacted against their unfair treatment
3
: to go through or cause to go through a chemical reaction

Medical Definition

react

intransitive verb
re·​act rē-ˈakt How to pronounce react (audio)
1
: to respond to a stimulus
2
: to undergo chemical reaction

transitive verb

: to cause to react

More from Merriam-Webster on react

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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