Meaning & use
proactive
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Taking action early to deal with an expected problem or to create an opportunity rather than waiting to react.
Grammar: Can stand before a noun or after be; very proactive is common, and it is often followed by about or in.
Patterns
- proactive about something
- proactive in doing something
- proactive approach
- proactive steps
A proactive manager checks risks before they become emergencies.
She is proactive about her health and schedules regular checkups.
The school took proactive steps to prevent bullying.
Word forms
| comparative | more proactive |
|---|---|
| superlative | most proactive |
Common combinations
- proactive approach
- A proactive approach saved the team time and money.
- proactive about something
- He became proactive about his finances after college.
- proactive in doing something
- The city is proactive in cleaning public spaces.
- proactive steps
- The company announced proactive steps to reduce waste.
Synonyms and how they differ
- anticipatory
- Focuses on expecting what comes next; proactive emphasizes acting before it happens.
- preventive
- Best for stopping harm; proactive is broader and can include preparing for chances, not only dangers.
- enterprising
- Suggests bold initiative; proactive is steadier and more planned.
Opposites
Word family
- proactively adverb
- in a proactive way
- proactivity noun
- the habit of acting in advance
- react verb
- to respond after something happens
Commonly confused: proactive or productive?
proactive vs productive
Productive means producing useful results; proactive means acting early, and work can be both.
Practice
A good manager is proactive ___ risks before they become problems.
Choose one answer.
Proactive about risks is natural when about is followed by a noun. In is tempting but usually needs an -ing form: proactive in managing risks.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “proactive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.