reactive

4 definitions • 9 examples

reacting to events or situations rather than acting first to change or prevent something:

Unfortunately, the police have dealt with the problem of car theft in a reactive rather than a proactive way.

They seem only capable of being negatively reactive to other people's suggestions.

often taking part in chemical reactions:

Zinc is more reactive and so forms ions more easily.

Some metals are too reactive to be extracted by this method.

reacting strongly to stimuli (= things that cause a part of the body to react):

Her pupils were 3-4 mm in diameter and reactive to light.

Asthma makes the lungs more reactive to ozone, and can make sufferers less efficient with their breathing.

reacting to events or situations rather than doing something first in order to change or prevent something:

a reactive approach

reactive to inflation/market forces

Top management should be proactive rather than reactive in its decision-making.