Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with reaction in American Collocation

reaction noun

US /riˈækʃ(ə)n/

positive

favourable
positive

We have never had such a positive reaction to a guest speaker before.

negative

negative

We all have a fear of failure or of a negative reaction.

mixed

mixed

Published in 1972, the book drew a very mixed reaction.

angry or violent

angry
defensive
hostile
violent

The slow progress of reform led to a violent reaction from the nationalists.

strong

extreme
hysterical
strong

It is a film that tends to prompt extreme reactions.

emotional

emotional

If you receive a threatening phone call, don’t say anything – the caller wants to get an emotional reaction.

immediate or first

immediate
initial
instant

He said that his inital reaction was shock.

done quickly without thinking

gut
instinctive
knee-jerk
spontaneous

The chairman insisted this was not a knee-jerk reaction and took into account the views of the fans.

normal

natural
normal
understandable

Worry is an understandable reaction to change.

cause a reaction

cause
draw
elicit
evoke
lead to
produce
prompt
provoke
result in
spark
trigger

The subject is complex and provokes strong reactions.

get a reaction

get
receive

She did not receive quite the reaction that she had expected.

observe or measure a reaction

gauge
observe

Extensive market research was carried out to gauge the reactions of consumers.

expect a reaction

anticipate
expect

They anticipate very cautious reactions to their suggestions.