maladaptive

adjective

mal·​adap·​tive ˌma-lə-ˈdap-tiv How to pronounce maladaptive (audio)
1
: marked by poor or inadequate adaptation
2
: not conducive to adaptation

Examples of maladaptive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That, McSparran says, can lead to potentially dangerous, maladaptive patterns of behavior. Time, 26 Aug. 2025 Since maladaptive daydreaming is not yet recognized as an official diagnosis, no diagnostic tests have been developed. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2025 My neuroscientist side would love to explore what's going on in the brain and map what contributes to adaptive vs maladaptive decision-making. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025 Feelings of insecurity, anxiety, or regret are signs of maladaptive use. Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for maladaptive

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maladaptive was in 1931

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Cite this Entry

“Maladaptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maladaptive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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