react

React is defined as to respond to something, or to act in opposition to something.

(verb)

An example of react is for a person to quickly pull his hand away after accidentally touching a hot stove.
An example of react is for a government body to pass a bill to stop an action that is currently going on in the community.

See react in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

Origin: < LL reactus, pp. of reagere < L re-, again + agere, to act

transitive verb

to cause to react; specif., to produce a chemical change in

See react in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb re·act·ed, re·act·ing, re·acts

verb, intransitive

To act in response to or under the influence of a stimulus or prompting: reacted strongly to the sarcastic tone of the memorandum.
To act in opposition to a former condition or act: composers who reacted against romanticism.
To act reciprocally or in return.
Chemistry To undergo a reaction: Methane reacts with hydroxyl to produce formaldehyde.

verb, transitive
Chemistry

To cause (a substance or substances) to undergo a reaction.

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