reactionary vs reactive :

reactionary or reactive

Many people incorrectly use “reactionary” to mean “acting in response to some outside stimulus.” That’s reactive. “Reactionary” actually has a very narrow meaning; it is a noun or adjective describing a form of looking backward that goes beyond conservatism (wanting to prevent change and maintain present conditions) to reaction—wanting to recreate a lost past. The advocates of restoring Czarist rule in Russia are reactionaries. While we’re on the subject, the term “proactive” formed by analogy with “reactive” seems superfluous to many of us. Use “active,” “assertive,” or “positive” whenever you can instead.

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Definitions

  • n  an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism
  • s  extremely conservative

  • a  participating readily in reactions
    sodium is a reactive metal
    free radicals are very reactive
  • s  reacting to a stimulus
    the skin of old persons is less reactive than that of younger persons
News & Articles

  • NBA Playoffs 2013: Why the Miami Heat Will Win Game 5 in San Antonio
    Surprises? The San Antonio Spurs have none remaining. The Miami Heat have a bad habit of allowing the opposing team to show their hand and then playing reactionary basketball, instead of imposing their will from the start. This strategy cost them Game 1 against the Bulls , nearly cost them Game 1 against the Pacers and cost them Game 1 against the Spurs. Game 1 of this  NBA Finals series was ...
    June 15, 2013 - Bleacher Report
  • Limbaugh rejects Bush comments
    He snaps at the former Florida governor for calling Republicans too reactionary.
    June 14, 2013 - Politico
  • LATEST NEWS
    In the history of the modern church, there has never been a more maligned priest than Father Andrew M. Greeley , who passed away May 29. He was condemned as a reactionary liberal, but he was a sound visionary and warned about church failings.
    June 13, 2013 - Stamford Advocate

  • Certain inflammatory biomarkers associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbations
    Simultaneously elevated levels of the biomarkers C-reactive protein, fibrinogen and leukocyte count in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were associated with increased risk of having exacerbations, even in those with milder COPD and in those without previous exacerbations, according to a study in the June 12 issue of JAMA.
    June 11, 2013 - EurekAlert!
  • Stunna Shades With LED Lights Groove to the Music
    Listen up, party people: Get ready to ditch your old stunna shades and slap on a pair of high-tech upgrades. A Texas-based Kickstarter campaign is promoting DropShades , audio-responsive glasses that dance to the beat of music via sound-reactive technology. The rave accessories tap a tiny microphone connected to a signal processor to translate incoming sounds across six horizontal bars and LED ...
    June 11, 2013 - Mashable
  • Know what you’re getting in a home security system
    Home security systems provide protection and peace of mind, yet too often homeowners are reactive when it comes to home security, according to the Electronic Security Association.
    June 9, 2013 - La Crosse Tribune