reactive
responding after events happen
doing something because something has already happened, instead of planning ahead
reactive [approach/strategy/response] to [something]
- The company took a reactive approach, fixing defects only after customers complained.
- Instead of being reactive, the team tried to identify risks before the launch.
- Critics said the new safety rules were reactive rather than preventive.
- We need a proactive plan, not a reactive one.
- His response was reactive because he waited until the problem got worse.
easily triggered emotionally or behaviorally
quick to become upset, angry, nervous, or excited because of a trigger
[someone/something] is reactive to/around [trigger]
- When she is under stress, she becomes more reactive to criticism.
- The trainer said the dog was reactive around bicycles and other dogs.
- The therapist helped him notice his reactive anger before he said something hurtful.
- The child is tired and very reactive today.
- Try to stay calm, not reactive.
readily undergoing chemical reactions
able to react easily with other chemicals
[substance] is reactive with [substance]
- Sodium is highly reactive with water.
- The lab stores reactive chemicals in a separate safety cabinet.
- Gold is valued partly because it is much less reactive than many other metals.
- This metal is reactive with water.
- Wear gloves when handling reactive chemicals.
showing a medical response
showing that the body or a medical test has responded to something
reactive [test/result/lymph node/airway/skin]
- The HIV screening test was reactive, so the clinic ordered a confirmatory test.
- The doctor said the enlarged lymph node looked reactive, not cancerous.
- Her skin is very reactive and becomes red after some fragrances.
- The test result was reactive, so she needed another test.
- The doctor said it was a reactive lymph node.
responding automatically to events
used about software that updates or responds automatically when data or events change
reactive [app/interface/system/framework/component]
- A reactive interface updates the chart as soon as new data arrives.
- The developers chose a reactive framework for the live chat feature.
- Reactive systems are common in apps that process continuous streams of events.
- The app is reactive, so the screen updates immediately.
- They built a reactive dashboard.
- Base: reactive
c-reactive protein
1blood marker of inflammation
a blood-test marker that can be high when there is inflammation in the body
- Her C-reactive protein was high, so the doctor checked for an infection.
- The study measured C-reactive protein as a marker of inflammation.
- A normal C-reactive protein result does not always rule out every disease.
reactive abuse
1retaliatory reaction to abuse
when someone being mistreated reacts angrily, and that reaction is then used against them
- The advocate said the clip showed only the client's reactive abuse, not the months of harassment before it.
- Online discussions of reactive abuse often focus on how provocation can be hidden from outsiders.
- She learned the term reactive abuse after her partner used her one angry outburst to portray her as the problem.
reactive airway disease
1asthma-like airway symptoms
a medical term for breathing problems similar to asthma, especially when doctors are not sure of the exact cause
- The pediatrician used the term reactive airway disease until they could tell whether it was asthma.
- Smoke and cold air can worsen symptoms in children with reactive airway disease.
- The emergency note listed reactive airway disease because the patient had wheezing and shortness of breath.
reactive arthritis
1arthritis after an infection
painful joint swelling that can happen after some infections
- He developed reactive arthritis a few weeks after a stomach infection.
- Reactive arthritis can cause swollen joints, eye irritation, and pain when urinating.
- The doctor asked about recent infections before diagnosing reactive arthritis.
reactive attachment disorder
1attachment disorder from severe neglect
a serious childhood condition in which a child struggles to form close emotional bonds because of severe early neglect
- The clinician evaluated the child for reactive attachment disorder after a history of severe neglect.
- Reactive attachment disorder is rare and requires careful professional assessment.
- Therapy for reactive attachment disorder often focuses on safe, consistent caregiving relationships.
reactive hypoglycemia
1post-meal low blood sugar
low blood sugar that happens after eating
- She felt shaky two hours after lunch and wondered if it was reactive hypoglycemia.
- Reactive hypoglycemia can cause sweating, hunger, weakness, and anxiety-like symptoms.
- The dietitian suggested balanced meals to reduce episodes of reactive hypoglycemia.
reactive oxygen species
1oxygen molecules causing oxidation
oxygen-containing molecules that react easily and can damage cells if there are too many
- Antioxidants help neutralize some reactive oxygen species in the body.
- Excess reactive oxygen species can damage proteins, lipids, and DNA.
- Exercise can temporarily increase the production of reactive oxygen species.
reactive programming
1event-responsive programming style
a way of writing software so it updates automatically when data or events change
- The team used reactive programming so the dashboard updated whenever new data arrived.
- Reactive programming is useful for apps that handle streams of user actions.
- Learning reactive programming can be challenging because the data flow is often asynchronous.