Proactive Meaning
/pɹəʊˈæk.tɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjActing in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty.
Sentence Examples
School busing and taking a proactive stance against discrimination were hotly debated topics.
The government is being urged to take a proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions.
Algeria is being proactive in dealing with the coronavirus epidemic.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
A highly effective manager is always ____, anticipating and solving issues beforehand.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company took a ____ approach to cybersecurity, identifying vulnerabilities before they were exploited.
Word Origin & History
From pro- + active; originally coined 1933 by Paul Whiteley and Gerald Blankfort in a psychology paper, used in technical sense. Used in a popular context and sense (courage, perseverance) in 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning by neuropsychiatrist Viktor Emil Frankl, in the context of dealing with the Holocaust, as contrast with reactive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Staff are also proactive in approaching any passengers looking as though they need assistance, rather than waiting to be approached."
— 2019 December 4, Andy Coward, “Derby's crowning achievement”, in Rail, page 56:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A highly effective manager is always ____, anticipating and solving issues beforehand.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company took a ____ approach to cybersecurity, identifying vulnerabilities before they were exploited.