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answer reactively

[/ˈænsər riˈæktɪvli/]
verb phrase
responder reativamente
1. to respond to something in an automatic or instinctive manner without careful consideration, often driven by emotion or immediate circumstance
She tends to answer reactively when criticized, without thinking through her words.
Ela tende a responder reativamente quando criticada, sem pensar bem nas suas palavras.
2. to reply in direct response to stimuli or events as they occur, rather than with planned deliberation
The customer service team was trained not to answer reactively but to provide thoughtful solutions.
A equipe de atendimento ao cliente foi treinada para não responder reativamente, mas para fornecer soluções reflexivas.
NYC Slang
shoot from the hip; go off on someone
Synonyms
respond instinctivelyreply impulsivelyanswer defensivelyreact hastilyrespond emotionally
Antonyms
answer thoughtfullyrespond deliberatelyreply carefullyanswer proactivelyrespond strategically

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
responder reativamente
standard usage in contemporary Portuguese
São Paulo
responder na hora / responder de impulso
colloquial alternative emphasizing immediacy
Rio de Janeiro
responder na reação
informal variant used in casual speech
Portugal
responder de forma reativa
formal preference for the prepositional phrase structure

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak without thinking
react on impulse
knee-jerk reaction
act on instinct
fire back
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