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Inactive vs Reactive - What's the difference?

inactive | reactive |

As verbs the difference between inactive and reactive

is that inactive is while reactive is .

As an adjective inactive

is inactivated.

inactive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not active, temporarily or permanently
    • The volcano is inactive , but is only dormant.
  • Not functioning or operating; broken down
    • The photocopier is inactive pending repair.
  • Retired from duty or service
    • Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.
  • (chemistry) Relatively inert
    • Aluminium is inactive towards water.
  • (physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light
    • Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

    Derived terms

    * inactively * inactivity

    Synonyms

    * (not active) dull, dormant * (not functioning or operating) idle

    Antonyms

    * (not active) active

    reactive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • that reacts or responds to a stimulus
  • (chemistry) that readily takes part in reactions
    • francium is the most reactive of the alkali metals.
  • (electronics) Characterized by induction or capacitance rather than resistance.
  • Reacting to the past rather than anticipating the future, not predictive.

    • Derived terms

    * reactive armour * reactive arthritis * reactive centre * reactive depression * reactive distillation * reactive dye * reactive homeostasis * reactive hyperemia * reactive hypoglycemia * reactive intermediate * reactive ion etching * reactive lymphocyte * reactive schizophrenia * reactive search * reactive load

    Anagrams

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