React vs. Act — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 14, 2024
Reacting involves a response to an external stimulus, often based on emotion or instinct, whereas acting implies taking initiative or following a plan, often with a deliberate or premeditated approach.
Difference Between React and Act
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Key Differences
To react is to respond to something that has happened, usually showing a direct influence by external events or conditions. On the other hand, to act involves initiating behavior independently, guided by individual decisions or plans rather than by immediate external stimuli.
Reactions are often spontaneous and emotional, reflecting immediate feelings or thoughts in response to an event. Whereas, actions may be calculated, planned, and executed with a specific goal or outcome in mind, showcasing a level of premeditation.
In everyday language, reacting suggests a lack of control or a passive stance, as one is influenced by external circumstances. Conversely, acting implies a level of control and agency, indicating that the individual is taking charge or making a conscious choice.
In psychological terms, reacting can be seen as a defensive mechanism to situations, often unconscious and automatic. On the other hand, acting can be strategic, involving conscious thought processes and decision-making skills to influence an outcome.
In a crisis, a reaction may be immediate and visceral, necessary for quick decisions under stress. Meanwhile, the ability to act in such situations involves a more composed and methodical approach, potentially leading to more effective resolutions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Response to stimuli
Initiation of behavior
Nature
Often spontaneous
Usually deliberate
Control
More passive
More active
Driven by
External conditions
Internal decisions
Involvement
Emotional, less planned
Calculated, goal-oriented
Compare with Definitions
React
To make a reverse movement.
The policy was unpopular, causing the government to react swiftly.
Act
To pretend or simulate.
He acted confused but knew more than he let on.
React
To respond to something by showing one's feelings or actions.
She reacted with surprise to the news.
Act
To take an action or do something.
He decided to act immediately to resolve the crisis.
React
To act in opposition to a force or influence.
The market reacted negatively to the economic downturn.
Act
To behave in a specified way.
Act professionally in all business dealings.
React
To undergo a chemical change.
The acid reacted with the metal, releasing hydrogen gas.
Act
To have an effect on something.
The new law will act to reduce tax evasion.
React
To respond to a stimulus in a particular way.
Patients can react differently to the same medication.
Act
To perform a role in a play, movie, etc.
She acts in a new drama series airing this fall.
React
To act in response to or under the influence of a stimulus or prompting
Reacted strongly to the sarcastic tone of the memorandum.
Act
The process of doing or performing something
The act of thinking.
React
To act in opposition to a former condition or act
Composers who reacted against romanticism.
Act
Something done or performed; a deed
A charitable act.
React
To act reciprocally or in return.
Act
(Law) Something done that has legal significance
A criminal act.
React
(Chemistry) To undergo a reaction
Methane reacts with hydroxyl to produce formaldehyde.
Act
A statute or other law formally adopted by a legislative body
An act of Congress.
React
To cause (a substance or substances) to undergo a reaction.
Act
A formal written record of proceedings or transactions.
React
(intransitive) To act in response.
How did she react to the news?
Act
One of the major divisions of a play, opera, or film.
React
To act or perform a second time; to do over again; to reenact.
Act
A performance or entertainment usually forming part of a longer presentation
A juggling act.
A magic act.
React
To return an impulse or impression; to resist the action of another body by an opposite force
Every body reacts on the body that impels it from its natural state.
Act
The actor or actors presenting such a performance
Joined the act in Phoenix.
React
To act upon each other; to exercise a reciprocal or a reverse effect, as two or more chemical agents; to act in opposition.
Act
A manifestation of intentional or unintentional insincerity; a pose
Put on an act.
React
To cause chemical agents to react; to cause one chemical agent to react with another.
Act
To play the part of; assume the dramatic role of
She plans to act Ophelia in summer stock.
React
To post a reaction icon or emoji indicating how one feels about a posted message.
Act
To perform (a role) on the stage
Act the part of the villain.
React
(Internet) An emoji used to express a reaction to a post on social media.
Sad reacts only
Act
To behave like or pose as; impersonate
Don't act the fool.
React
To act or perform a second time; to do over again; to reenact; as, to react a play; the same scenes were reacted at Rome.
Act
To behave in a manner suitable for
Act your age.
React
To return an impulse or impression; to resist the action of another body by an opposite force; as, every body reacts on the body that impels it from its natural state.
Act
To behave or comport oneself
She acts like a born leader.
React
To act upon each other; to exercise a reciprocal or a reverse effect, as two or more chemical agents; to act in opposition.
Act
To perform in a dramatic role or roles.
React
Show a response or a reaction to something
Act
To be suitable for theatrical performance
This scene acts well.
React
Undergo a chemical reaction; react with another substance under certain conditions;
The hydrogen and the oxygen react
Act
To behave affectedly or unnaturally; pretend.
React
Act against or in opposition to;
She reacts negatively to everything I say
Act
To appear or seem to be
The dog acted ferocious.
Act
To carry out an action
We acted immediately. The governor has not yet acted on the bill.
Act
To operate or function in a specific way
His mind acts quickly.
Act
To serve or function as a substitute for another
A coin can act as a screwdriver.
Act
To produce an effect
Waited five minutes for the anesthetic to act.
Act
(countable) Something done, a deed.
An act of goodwill
Act
Actuality.
Act
(theology) Something done once and for all, as distinguished from a work.
Act
A product of a legislative body, a statute.
Act
The process of doing something.
He was caught in the act of stealing.
Act
(countable) A formal or official record of something done.
Act
A division of a theatrical performance.
The pivotal moment in the play was in the first scene of the second act.
Act
(countable) A performer or performers in a show.
Which act did you prefer? The soloist or the band?
Act
(countable) Any organized activity.
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour.
Act
A thesis maintained in public, in some English universities, by a candidate for a degree, or to show the proficiency of a student.
Act
(countable) A display of behaviour meant to deceive.
To put on an act
Act
Senseid|en|act of parliament}} (law) {{ellipsis of act of parliament
Act
(intransitive) To do something.
If you don't act soon, you will be in trouble.
Act
To do (something); to perform.
Act
(intransitive) To perform a theatrical role.
I started acting at the age of eleven in my local theatre.
Act
(intransitive) Of a play: to be acted out (well or badly).
Act
(intransitive) To behave in a certain manner for an indefinite length of time.
A dog which acts aggressively is likely to bite.
I believe that Bill's stuck-up because of the way that he acts.
He's acting strangely - I think there's something wrong with him.
Act
(copulative) To convey an appearance of being.
He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn't worry.
Act
(intransitive) To do something that causes a change binding on the doer.
Act on behalf of John
Act
(transitive) To play (a role).
He's been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
Act
(transitive) To feign.
He acted the angry parent, but was secretly amused.
Act
To map via a homomorphism to a group of automorphisms (of).
This group acts on the circle, so it can't be left-orderable!
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Act
To enact; to decree.
Act
That which is done or doing; the exercise of power, or the effect, of which power exerted is the cause; a performance; a deed.
That best portion of a good man's life,His little, nameless, unremembered actsOf kindness and of love.
Act
A state of reality or real existence as opposed to a possibility or possible existence.
The seeds of plants are not at first in act, but in possibility, what they afterward grow to be.
Act
Process of doing; action. In act, in the very doing; on the point of (doing).
This woman was taken . . . in the very act.
Act
To move to action; to actuate; to animate.
Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul.
Act
To perform; to execute; to do.
That we act our temporal affairs with a desire no greater than our necessity.
Industry doth beget by producing good habits, and facility of acting things expedient for us to do.
Uplifted hands that at convenient timesCould act extortion and the worst of crimes.
Act
To perform, as an actor; to represent dramatically on the stage.
Act
To assume the office or character of; to play; to personate; as, to act the hero.
Act
To feign or counterfeit; to simulate.
With acted fear the villain thus pursued.
Act
To exert power; to produce an effect; as, the stomach acts upon food.
Act
To perform actions; to fulfill functions; to put forth energy; to move, as opposed to remaining at rest; to carry into effect a determination of the will.
He hangs between, in doubt to act or rest.
Act
To behave or conduct, as in morals, private duties, or public offices; to bear or deport one's self; as, we know not why he has acted so.
Act
To perform on the stage; to represent a character.
To show the world how Garrick did not act.
Act
A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
Act
Something that people do or cause to happen
Act
A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Act
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Act
A manifestation of insincerity;
He put on quite an act for her benefit
Act
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);
Think before you act
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Act
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself;
You should act like an adult
Don't behave like a fool
What makes her do this way?
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
Act
Play a role or part;
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
Act
Discharge one's duties;
She acts as the chair
In what capacity are you acting?
Act
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind;
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Act
Be suitable for theatrical performance;
This scene acts well
Act
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected;
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
How does your idea work in practice?
This method doesn't work
The breaks of my new car act quickly
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
Act
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Act
Behave unnaturally or affectedly;
She's just acting
Act
Perform on a stage or theater;
She acts in this play
He acted in `Julius Caesar'
I played in `A Christmas Carol'
Common Curiosities
Can someone act without reacting?
Yes, acting can occur without reacting if it is based on a planned decision or initiative, independent of external triggers.
How can acting be seen as positive?
Acting can be viewed positively when it reflects thoughtful decision-making and purposeful behavior aimed at achieving specific goals.
Is reacting always involuntary?
While reactions are often involuntary and instinctual, people can learn to control or modify their reactions over time.
How do reactions influence actions?
Reactions can set the groundwork for subsequent actions, especially if the initial emotional response guides decision-making.
How does acting relate to leadership?
Acting is important in leadership as it involves making strategic decisions and taking proactive steps to guide and influence others.
Can a reaction become an action?
A reaction can evolve into an action if it prompts a deliberate strategy or decision aimed at addressing the initial stimulus.
Why is it important to manage reactions in professional settings?
Managing reactions is crucial in professional settings to maintain composure and make informed decisions rather than impulsively reacting to challenges.
What does it mean to react emotionally?
Reacting emotionally means displaying immediate feelings in response to an event or situation, often without premeditation.
What makes reacting different from responding?
Reacting typically involves more immediate and emotional aspects, while responding might include more thoughtful and deliberate considerations.
What role does culture play in how people react and act?
Cultural background can significantly influence both reactions and actions, shaping how individuals interpret stimuli and choose to behave.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
