being reactive

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The quality or state of responding to events after they happen, rather than planning or acting in advance.

   Grammar: Often used as a subject or after a preposition: Being reactive can cause problems.

   Patterns

   • being reactive to something
   • being reactive rather than proactive
   • avoid being reactive

   Being reactive to every complaint means you never set your own agenda.

   The manager warned the team about being reactive rather than proactive.

   Being reactive in a crisis can be useful, but it shouldn't be your only strategy.

2. 2phrasefixed phrasedisapproving

   The state of reacting strongly or emotionally to situations, especially in a way that is not calm or controlled.

   Grammar: Often used with 'to': being reactive to criticism.

   Patterns

   • being reactive to criticism
   • being overly reactive
   • being reactive in an argument

   Being reactive to criticism can damage your relationships at work.

   She apologized for being reactive during the meeting.

   Being overly reactive makes it hard to think clearly.

3. 3phrasefixed phrasechemistrytechnical

   The property of a chemical substance of readily undergoing a reaction with other substances.

   Grammar: Used in chemistry, often with 'with': being reactive with oxygen.

   Patterns

   • being reactive with something
   • being highly reactive

   Being reactive with water makes this metal dangerous to store.

   The element's being highly reactive explains why it is never found pure in nature.

Common combinations

being reactive to something

Being reactive to every small change can exhaust a team.

being reactive rather than proactive

The report criticized the department for being reactive rather than proactive.

being overly reactive

Being overly reactive to feedback can stop you from learning.

being highly reactive

Being highly reactive, the chemical must be handled with care.

Synonyms and how they differ

responsive

Often positive: it means reacting quickly and appropriately, while 'reactive' often suggests a lack of planning.

impulsive

Focuses on acting suddenly without thinking; 'reactive' focuses on responding to something else.

defensive

Describes a particular kind of reactive behavior when someone feels criticized.

Opposites

Word family

react verb

To respond to something that has happened.

reaction noun

A response to an event or situation.

reactivity noun

The quality of being reactive, especially in chemistry.

Commonly confused: being reactive or reactionary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “being reactive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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