proactive
🇺🇸 /ˌproʊˈæktɪv/
📖 Definitions
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adjective
Creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding to it after it has happened; taking initiative in advance.; Relating to or involving anticipatory action taken to prevent or prepare for future events.
🔗 Details
Word forms
Comparative: more proactive
Superlative: most proactive
Collocations
proactive approachproactive measuresproactive stancebe proactiveproactive managementproactive strategy
Derivatives
proactivelyproactivenessproactivity
Synonyms
preventiveanticipatoryforward-thinkingenterprisinginitiative
Antonyms
reactivepassive
Commonly confused
reactive
EN: 'Reactive' means responding to events after they occur, while 'proactive' means acting in anticipation of future events.
active
EN: 'Active' simply means engaged in action, while 'proactive' specifically implies taking initiative before a situation demands it.
Spelling tips
EN: Do not confuse the prefix 'pro-' with 'pre-'; the correct form is 'proactive', not 'preactive'.
💬 Examples
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The company adopted a proactive approach to customer service, reaching out to clients before problems arose.
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Proactive measures were implemented to reduce the risk of flooding in the region.