Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adapt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adapt are accommodate, adjust, conform, and reconcile. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

Where would accommodate be a reasonable alternative to adapt?

The synonyms accommodate and adapt are sometimes interchangeable, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

When can adjust be used instead of adapt?

The meanings of adjust and adapt largely overlap; however, adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

In what contexts can conform take the place of adapt?

In some situations, the words conform and adapt are roughly equivalent. However, conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

When is it sensible to use reconcile instead of adapt?

While in some cases nearly identical to adapt, reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Examples of adapt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And that Victoria's Secret may have been a little slower to adapt to or adopt these ideals of, of beauty as, as bringing more people into the tent. Abc News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024 The imperative is clear: businesses, employees, students, and citizens must adapt swiftly to harness its full potential, safeguarding their competitiveness, professional lives, personal well-being, and the very fabric of our democracies. Sylvain Duranton, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024 Along the way, Fortune has adapted to a changing world—culminating in important franchises like Fortune Most Powerful Women, which launches its 27th edition in this issue. Alex Wood Morton, Fortune Europe, 11 Oct. 2024 Atlus adapts the calendar system from Persona and improves it by making time spent integral to some of the story’s themes. Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for adapt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adapt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adapt. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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