REACT Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

react

[ ree-akt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

to act in response to an agent or influence:
How did the audience react to the speech?
to act reciprocally upon each other, as two things.
to act in a reverse direction or manner, especially so as to return to a prior condition.
to act in opposition, as against some force.
to respond to a stimulus in a particular manner:
reacting to a shock by jumping; to react to the word “coward” with anger.
to undergo a chemical reaction.

react

/ ��ɪˈæ�� /

intr; foll by to, upon etc (of a person or thing) to act in response to another person, a stimulus, etc, or (of two people or things) to act together in a certain way
intrfoll byagainst to act in an opposing or contrary manner
intr physics to exert an equal force in the opposite direction to an acting force
chem to undergo or cause to undergo a chemical reaction

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Origin of react¹

First recorded in 1635–45; re- + act, probably modeled on Medieval Latin reagere

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Origin of react¹

C17: from Late Latin reagere , from re- + Latin agere to drive, do

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Examples have not been reviewed.

A secret cabinet committee was considering how the UK might react if Trump's tariffs materialised.

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While some people don’t react at all, others experience severe skin irritation.

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He adds: "How US trading partners react against the reciprocal tariff policy will also have a major impact."

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As soon as I see a phone, I'm going to react.

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Shares fell again on Friday as markets continued to react to the uncertainty surrounding the economic impact of US tariffs.

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