reacted; reacting; reacts
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
: 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
Yet there is no obvious moderate to enter the race, and even if one did, there is no certainty how the public would react.
—
Erika Solomon, New York Times, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for react 
Erika Solomon, New York Times, 21 May 2024
Stewart zeroed in on how conservative media reacted to the criticism, playing clips of right-wing media pundits claiming the left was fueling an attack on free speech.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 May 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.
Dictionary Entries Near react
Cite this Entry
“React.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/react. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
react
verb
re·act
rē-ˈakt 
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
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