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reaction

reaction

925 2.6
An immediate feeling after hearing or seeing something
  • noun
  • /riˈækʃən/
translation icon : reacción
  • Her immediate reaction to the surprise party was one of pure joy and excitement.
  • a negative reaction
  • recipient reaction
  • an emotional reaction

Now, there are different reactions to what is going on.

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Examples

  • When you revealed your intentions, sir, what was Mr Tindle's reaction?

  • Is it the event, or is it your reaction to that event?

  • And, you know, my initial reaction is, hell no.

  • Because his first reaction was to say it's OK.

  • And what would one's reaction be to that sort of thing?

  • I get that reaction a lot.

  • The first reaction is usually the correct one.

  • Again, this is a very typical reaction for UK tennis fans.

  • Okay, now that that is concluded, can we get some initial reactions?

  • Practitioners must carefully monitor clients' reactions to ensure they remain supportive of the process throughout the exploration.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

feeling
vsreaction
1.0

An emotion or reaction you notice inside yourself

is broader and also covers thoughts or ideas after an event
emotion
vsreaction
1.6

A strong feeling such as love or anger

is broader and includes mild feelings and non emotional ideas
gut reaction
vsreaction
8 4.3

A strong first feeling you have without thinking

is less immediate and can be a considered thought or feeling

Antonyms

71 4.6

Lack of interest or concern about something

43 6.2

A lack of interest or care about things

Idioms

As a response to something that happens

Compounds

The body has a strong unwanted response to things like pollen or peanuts and causes swelling, sneezing and difficulty breathing

chemical reaction
  • Specialized
24 3.1

A change where substances turn into different substances

chain reaction
  • Specialized
16 4.5

A process in which one nuclear event makes more nuclear events happen, keeping the reaction going

11 3.7

The time between seeing or hearing something and acting on it

8 4.3

A strong first feeling you have without thinking

nuclear reaction
  • Specialized
4 4.4

A change inside an atom's core that makes or uses a large amount of energy

exothermic reaction
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A chemical change that gives off heat to the area around it

chain reaction
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A series of chemical or nuclear reactions in which one reaction makes the next start

endothermic reaction
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A chemical change that takes in heat from the area around it

immune reaction
  • Specialized
1 3.2

The body's defence that attacks foreign things like germs or transplanted organs

1 4.5

An automatic body response to something that affects it, like sweating or a faster heartbeat

1 7.7

A very hot reaction where parts of atoms join and make huge energy in stars or bombs

1 9.3

Bodily problems like paralysis or blindness that come from emotional stress and have no physical cause

displacement reaction
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A reaction where a more reactive element replaces a less reactive one in a compound

1 6.6

A strong feeling of worry that lasts a long time with physical signs like tension and shaking

1 4.1

Every push or pull makes an equal force in the opposite direction

reaction formation
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A way a person acts without knowing to hide feelings by doing the opposite

A harmful response of the body after receiving the wrong blood from another person

A chemical reaction where one compound breaks into two or more different substances

conditional reaction
  • Specialized
7.4

A learned response that happens when a certain sound or signal appears, for example a dog drooling at a bell

conditioned reaction
  • Specialized
5.0

A learned response that happens when a signal like a bell is paired with food many times

6.3

A reaction where one compound breaks into two or more simpler substances

defense reaction
  • Specialized
8.1

A mental process done without thinking that reduces worry about uncomfortable feelings

A chemical change where two compounds exchange parts to make two new compounds

4.4

Two compounds swap ions to make two new compounds

elimination reaction
  • Specialized
6.9

A chemical reaction in which one molecule breaks into two smaller molecules by losing atoms or small groups

endoergic reaction
  • Specialized
9.9

A reaction in the centre of an atom that takes in energy from around it

enzyme reaction
  • Specialized
3.8

A chemical change in a living thing that proteins make happen faster

addition reaction
  • Specialized
4.5

Two small molecules join to make a larger molecule

anamnestic reaction
  • Specialized
9.9

A quick increase in antibodies your body makes after it sees the same germ again

aldol reaction
  • Specialized
8.2

A chemical reaction where two small organic molecules join to make a larger molecule called an aldol

exoergic reaction
  • Specialized
8.8

A nuclear reaction that gives off energy as heat or light

learned reaction
  • Specialized
5.3

A way of acting you get from practice or experience

light reaction
  • Specialized
5.9

The first stage in plants' use of light to make energy molecules

Molisch reaction
  • Specialized
9.9

A chemical test that shows a violet ring when sugars are present

5.6

An extreme response by the immune system to something you are allergic to that can be life threatening

insulin reaction
  • Specialized
6.1

A sudden drop in blood sugar after taking too much insulin

4.2

A reaction where an acid and a base make salt and water

4.4

A process where two atoms combine to make a heavier atom and give off energy

An action that keeps someone safe from danger

quellung reaction
  • Specialized
9.9

A lab test that shows a germ's outer layer swelling when antibodies are added

reaction engine
  • Specialized
6.0

A machine like a jet or rocket that pushes a vehicle by throwing fast gas out the back

7.1

A machine that pushes a rocket or other spacecraft forward by shooting out fast gases

reaction propulsion
  • Specialized
7.5

A way to move that rockets use by pushing out fast gas so the vehicle moves the other way

reaction turbine
  • Specialized
7.9

A machine with blades that makes power by using a fall in pressure along the blades with water or steam

6.0

A chemical change caused by light such as sunlight

A sudden large wave of comments from many people that follows an event

startle reaction
  • Specialized
6.3

A quick change in your body and feelings when something suddenly surprises you, like a loud noise

7.9

A delayed reaction caused by the body's immune cells that appears hours after contact with something you are sensitive to

5.5

A very fast body reaction to something you are sensitive to, causing hives, itching, or very bad swelling

9.9

A blood test once used to check if someone had syphilis

How Intense

outburst
83 3.9
reaction
925 2.6
indifference
71 4.6

Surface Forms

reaction singular
reactions plural

Morphology

reaction = react (transparent) = re + act + ion

This sense is a straightforward noun derived from 'react' meaning the act or result of responding.

Etymology

Reaction comes from the parts re- ('back' or 'again') and act ('to do'). So an emotional reaction is how you 'do' or reply in return when something happens, which is why it names your immediate feeling or response.