react

/ɹɪˈækt/

/ɹiˈækt/

to react

MAIN VERB

to act or behave in a particular way in response to something

synonyms : respond

(physics) to be subject to physical or chemical change

to show a hostile response to an opposing action

synonyms : oppose

(physics) to cause a substance to change by interacting with other substances

to have an adverse reaction to something particular such as food, smell, etc., particularly one that causes illness

Examples

1. When it was accused of racism, sexism, anti-environmentalism, it reacted defensively, exacerbating the situation.

2. When he learned about the goodbye party, how did he react?

3. The soldier knew that in combat, he who hesitates is lost, and so he trained rigorously to react quickly and decisively in any situation.

4. Our brains react the same way to food.