[RPG] Can the target of the Dissonant Whispers spell choose to use its reaction to move if it succeeds on the save

dnd-5emovementreactionssaving-throwspells

The description of the dissonant whispers spell says (PHB, p. 234):

On a successful save, the target takes half as much damage and doesn't have to move away.

Does this mean that the target can still choose to use this opportunity to use its reaction to move away?

This is especially important if the target has feature that prevents opportunity attacks and prefer to attack at range.

Best Answer

The target of Dissonant Whispers may take a reaction to move away.

Dissonant Whispers "allows" you to take a reaction:

Certain special abilities, spells, and situations allow you to take a special action called a reaction. A reaction is an instant response to a trigger of some kind, which can occur on your turn or on someone else's

A failed save leaves you no option to not be forced to spend your reaction. If you succeed you may choose not to take that reaction or to take that reaction trigger that the spell grants you - as long as you have a reaction available.

On a failed save, it [...] must immediately use its reaction, if available, to move as far as its speed allows away from you. On a successful save, [..] doesn’t have to move away.