proactive

adjective

pro·​ac·​tive (ˌ)prō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce proactive (audio)
1
[pro- entry 2 + reactive] : acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes
Once patients have the big data about their bodies, the thinking goes, they can be proactive about their health, cut care costs and foster better relationships with their doctors.Alexandra Sifferlin
Proactive managers are planners; they anticipate crises rather than reel from them.Michael Tannenbaum et al.
2
[pro- entry 1] psychology : relating to, caused by, or being interference between previous learning and the recall or performance of later learning
Because of proactive interference, you may have difficulty remembering a new area code (you keep dialing the old one by mistake).Jeffrey Nevid

Did you know?

People who tend to react to a problem only when it's gotten serious could be called reactive people. Until recently, reactive (in this sense) didn't really have an antonym. So proactive was coined to describe the kind of person who's always looking into the future in order to be prepared for anything. A good parent attempts to be proactive on behalf of his or her children, trying to imagine the problems they might be facing in a few months or years. A company's financial officers study the patterns of the company's earnings to make sure it won't risk running short of cash at any point in the next year or two. Proactive has only been around a few decades, and it can still sometimes sound like a fashionable buzzword.

Examples of proactive in a Sentence

A survey was given out to customers so that the company could take proactive steps to improve their service. The city is taking a proactive approach to fighting crime by hiring more police officers.
Recent Examples on the Web Lifeforce Membership The importance of specificity, personalization and clinical diagnoses is at the center of a new proactive healthcare company Lifeforce. Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Her message is a blend of professional knowledge and personal observations, aimed at inspiring a proactive approach to aging well. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 So, Smith calls on those who remain to be proactive and engage in the public process in a way that reflects well on all hunters, trappers and anglers. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 20 Mar. 2024 Bell says that Aries are natural leaders and tend to be proactive. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024 Taking proactive steps and seeking support will contribute to your professional growth. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 Survey your brands to learn if the data provided is easy to consume and meets their goals to become a more proactive, versus reactive, brand/supplier to you, the retailer. Jay Hakami, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Since the buildings opened, the Carlsbad Police Department has had 762 calls for service there, including calls from Windsor Pointe residents, neighbors, proactive police patrols, follow-up visits and 911 hang-ups, according to a report prepared for the City Council. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2024 That, according to the police department, would allow the department to respond to simultaneous calls for service and provide proactive police services. Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proactive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of proactive was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near proactive

Cite this Entry

“Proactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proactive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proactive

adjective
pro·​ac·​tive prō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce proactive (audio)
: acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes
proactively adverb

Medical Definition

proactive

adjective
pro·​ac·​tive (ˈ)prō-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce proactive (audio)
: relating to, caused by, or being interference between previous learning and the recall or performance of later learning
proactive inhibition of memory
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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