1. the opposition to alternating current in an electrical circuit due to inductance or capacitance
Usage: electrical engineering; physics
2. psychological resistance to perceived threats to one’s freedom of choice or behavior
Usage: psychology

Examples

• The circuit’s reactance increased with higher frequency.
• Capacitive reactance decreases as frequency increases.
• The engineer calculated the total reactance of the system.
• Inductive reactance causes current to lag behind voltage.
• When told they couldn’t have something, the children showed reactance by wanting it more.
• Psychological reactance explains why some people resist authority.
• The teenager’s reactance to rules was typical for her age.