reaction
Answer to stimulus
A reaction is a response to something—an action prompted by a stimulus.
Chemical reactions transform substances into new compounds.
In physics, every action produces an equal and opposite reaction.
A person's reaction to news may be emotional: Her reaction to the diagnosis was disbelief.
Reactions can be gut-level or considered: What was your first reaction?
A political reaction is a move toward conservatism, resisting progressive change—hence reactionary.
Agent enabling change
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- synthesisCombining parts into whole
compound · enzyme · acid · base · exothermic · endothermic · precipitate · solution
Involuntary stimulus response
- flinchInvoluntary retreat from threat
- twitchInvoluntary muscular jerk
- startleFrighten suddenly
- blinkRapid lid movement
sneeze · shiver · jolt · tremor · quiver · goosebumps · wince · recoil
Verbal or written answer
- answerSolution to query
- feedbackReturned response data
- comebackRecovery after decline
- retortQuick, cutting reply
rebuttal · rejoinder · counter · riposte · acknowledgment · repartee · echo · reciprocation
Emotional responses experienced internally
- angerIntense hostile emotion
- fearEmotional response to threat
- joyIntense positive emotion
- sadnessState of emotional pain
surprise · disgust · grief · shock · outrage · horror · relief · excitement
Adverse immune response
- histamineAllergy-response compound
- hivesRaised itchy skin reaction
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
anaphylaxis · antihistamine · epinephrine · sensitivity · pollen · peanut · sting · asthma
Loud public protest
- uproarNoisy public disturbance
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
- criticismJudgment of faults
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
boycott · controversy · outrage · dissent · disapproval · resistance · repercussion · blowback
catalyst
Agent enabling change
- reagentSubstance prompting chemical change
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
synthesis · compound · enzyme · acid · base · exothermic · endothermic · precipitate · solution · bond
reflex
Involuntary stimulus response
blink · sneeze · shiver · jolt · tremor · quiver · goosebumps · wince · recoil · gag
reply
Verbal or written answer
retort · rebuttal · rejoinder · counter · riposte · acknowledgment · repartee · echo · reciprocation · retaliation
feelings
Emotional responses experienced internally
sadness · surprise · disgust · grief · shock · outrage · horror · relief · excitement · dismay
allergy
Adverse immune response
swelling · anaphylaxis · antihistamine · epinephrine · sensitivity · pollen · peanut · sting · asthma · irritant
outcry
Loud public protest
opposition · boycott · controversy · outrage · dissent · disapproval · resistance · repercussion · blowback · fallout
instant
Briefest unit of time
- split-secondFraction of a moment
- immediateHappening without delay
- delayedMade to wait longer
quick · slow · rapid · latency · lag · timing · prompt · swift · measured · pause
- science termsbiology, chemistry, physics, math, experiment
- feedbackcomment, comments, constructive, complaint, reviews
- Feedback Termspraise, criticism, suggestion, comment, review
- gender revealsballoon pop, confetti cannon, pink, blue, boy
- public opinionpublic opinion, public sentiment, polls, poll, approval
- reactionsresponse, gasp, wince, flinch, startle
reactionaction
Process of doing
initiative · proaction · instigation · self-determination · spontaneity
reactionantecedent
Something that precedes
precursor · precedent · prelude · forerunner · harbinger
- chain reactionSelf-sustaining causal sequence
- reaction speedSwiftness of response
- allergic reactionImmune system's hostile response
- gut reactionImmediate unthinking feeling
- reaction timeSpeed of response
- knee-jerk reactionInstinctive, unconsidered response
reacting, reactionary, reactions, reactive, reactivity, overreacting, overreaction, reactionaries, unreactive