react
[verb]
Synonyms:
- respond, answer, reply
- act, behave, function, operate, proceed, work

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

re‧act S3 W3 AC /riˈækt/ verb [intransitive]
[Word Family: noun: reaction, reactor, reactionary, overreaction; verb: react, overreact; adjective: reactionary, reactive]

1. BEHAVIOUR/FEELINGS to behave in a particular way or show a particular emotion because of something that has happened or been said ⇒ respond
react to
How did Wilson react to your idea?
He reacted angrily to the suggestion that he had lied.
She reacted very badly (=was very upset) when her parents split up.
You have to react quickly to circumstances.
react by doing something
The government reacted by declaring all strikes illegal. ⇒ overreact

2. CHEMICALS technical if a chemical substance reacts, it changes when it is mixed with another chemical substance
react with
The calcium reacts with sulphur in the atmosphere.

3. PRICES if prices or financial markets react to something that happens, they increase or decrease in value because of it
react to
Oil prices reacted sharply (=reacted a lot) to news of the crisis in the Middle East.
The market reacted favourably to the announcement.

4. BECOME ILL to become ill when a chemical or drug goes into your body, or when you eat a particular kind of food ⇒ respond
react to
Quite a lot of children react badly to antibiotics.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

react
verb
ADV. strongly | favourably, positively, sympathetically people who react positively to change
adversely, badly, negatively, unfavourably | aggressively, angrily, violently | cautiously, coolly | sharply | appropriately | immediately, instantly | quickly, swiftly The police must be able to react swiftly in an emergency.
differently | accordingly His insensitive remarks hurt and she reacted accordingly.
automatically, instinctively, spontaneously | physically
VERB + REACT tend to | be slow to The industry has been slow to react to these breakthroughs in technology.
not know how to He did not know how to react to her sudden mood swings.
PREP. against Many young people react against traditional values.
by The government reacted by increasing taxation.
to The university reacted unfavourably to the proposals.
with Her family reacted with horror when she told them.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

react

react badly (=become annoyed, upset etc)
Do you react badly to criticism?
react angrily/violently
The Prime Minister reacted angrily to these accusations.
react strongly
Scott reacted strongly when he felt he was being treated unjustly.
react quickly/swiftly
The goalkeeper had to react quickly.
react differently
People react differently to stress.
react positively/negatively (=with positive/negative emotions or opinions)
We want versatile people who react positively to change.
react cautiously (=carefully, so that you avoid danger or risk)
The United States has reacted cautiously to the offer.
react instinctively (=without thinking or needing to think)
She reacted instinctively and reached for her gun.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

react
verb
BAD: It's time the government reacted on the crisis.
GOOD: It's time the government reacted to the crisis.
BAD: Their reaction on the article was predictable.
GOOD: Their reaction to the article was predictable.

Usage Note:
react/reaction to sth (NOT on/at ): 'People reacted to the speech in different ways.' 'Reactions to the news of the merger were less positive than expected.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲