What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reactance
Example
The students showed reactance when the teacher tried to impose strict rules on their behavior. [reactance: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of reactance when her boss told her how to complete the project. [reactance: noun]
resistance
Example
The car's brakes provided enough resistance to stop it from rolling down the hill. [resistance: noun]
Example
He showed resistance to the idea of moving to a new city for work. [resistance: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Resistance is more commonly used than reactance in everyday language. Resistance is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while reactance is a more specialized term used primarily in psychology and sociology.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between reactance and resistance?
Both reactance and resistance can be used in formal and informal contexts, but reactance may be more commonly used in academic or technical writing due to its specialized meaning.
