react against

USAGE SUMMARY

"react against" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually means to respond to an event or situation in an unfavourable way, often because of strong disagreement or disapproval. For example, "Many people in the community reacted against the mayor's plans to build a new railway line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Books

Music

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People tended to react against it.

The New York Times

We react against those forces to assert our own identities.

The New York Times - Arts

They will react against you just for your presumptiveness.

The New York Times

I had new sounds, new ideas to react against.

The New York Times

Did she consciously react against the brat cliche?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others react against the increasing pressure of Chinese migration.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Kids are so willful, they're going to react against you.

The New York Times

"Yet he soon started to react against his guilt.

The New Yorker

But Madonna had no Madonna of her own to react against.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were powerful in numbers, and we had something to react against," he said.

The New York Times

However, even if people react against him, Stanislavski retains his magisterial dominance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "react against" to clearly indicate a negative response or opposition to a specific action, idea, or situation. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being opposed.

Common error

Avoid using "react against" when a simple response or acknowledgment is more appropriate. This phrase implies a degree of antagonism, so ensure your word choice matches the intended sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "react against" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action of opposition or resistance. It expresses a negative response to a stimulus, idea, or situation, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

17%

Books

7%

Less common in

Lifestyle

7%

Music

3%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "react against" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express opposition or resistance to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is employed across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and literary sources. While alternatives like "oppose" or "resist" exist, "react against" specifically indicates a contrary response. It is essential to consider the degree of antagonism when using this phrase to ensure it accurately reflects the intended sentiment. Usage is frequent in "News & Media", "Science", and "Books".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oppose

A simpler, more direct term for expressing disagreement or resistance.

resist

Implies a more active form of opposition, often against a force or change.

counter

Suggests an action taken to neutralize or offset something else.

rebel against

Conveys a stronger sense of defiance and challenge to authority.

push back against

Indicates resistance to something, often involving a defensive action.

take a stand against

Highlights a firm and public opposition to something.

be in opposition to

A more formal way of expressing disagreement or contrast.

defy

Indicates open resistance or disobedience to a rule or authority.

fight back against

Emphasizes a determined effort to resist or overcome opposition.

stand up to

Suggests facing opposition with courage and determination.

FAQs

How to use "react against" in a sentence?

Use "react against" to describe a negative or opposing response to something. For example, "The community "reacted against" the proposed development plan."

What can I say instead of "react against"?

You can use alternatives like "oppose", "resist", or "counter" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "react against" or "react to"?

"React against" implies opposition, while "react to" simply indicates a response. The correct choice depends on whether you want to convey disagreement or just a reaction.

What's the difference between "react against" and "rebel against"?

"React against" is a general term for opposing something. "Rebel against" suggests a more forceful and defiant opposition, often challenging authority.