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m-hodgesyesterday at 3:03 PM2 repliesview on HN

I think you’re describing reactive not reactionary.


Replies

AndrewKemendoyesterday at 4:37 PM

Agreed, corrected

catigulayesterday at 4:53 PM

I'm not totally convinced of this.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reactionary

>relating to, marked by, or favoring reaction

It doesn't denote primarily political usage, although that is my interpretation. Here are a few given examples:

> The Clippers so far have been reactionary in the playoffs. — Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2021

> The demise of the style was spurred by a reactionary resurgence of Classicism. — Regina Cole, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2023

> However, the signing had been in the works for weeks and was not a reactionary move in the wake of Sjöberg’s injury. — Daniel Boniface, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2017

>But in most people, facial bloating and undereye puffiness are usually just reactionary. — Georgia Casey, Allure, 6 Feb. 2026