adapt

verb

\ ə-ˈdapt

, a-\

adapted; adapting; adapts

Definition of adapt

transitive verb

: to make fit (as for a new use) often by modification adapt the curriculum to students' needs

intransitive verb

: to become adapted adapt to a new enviroment

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about adapt

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Choose the Right Synonym for adapt

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another. adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances. adapted themselves to the warmer climate 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 accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence. accommodated his political beliefs in order to win conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle. refused to conform to society's values 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

When children go to a different school, it usually takes them a while to adapt. She has adapted herself to college life quite easily. The camera has been adapted for underwater use. The clock was adapted to run on batteries. The movie was adapted from the book of the same title. adapting the movie for television

Recent Examples on the Web

Improvements in technology meant that games would eventually be able to adapt comic art a bit more faithfully, and these advancements were felt in the late 1980s. — Michael Thompson, Ars Technica, "Drawn together: The love affair between comics and games," 24 Dec. 2018 Apple’s iPad development has been characterized by learning, adapting, and evolving. — Vlad Savov, The Verge, "Google keeps failing to understand tablets," 29 Nov. 2018 Today, the increase of high-tech threats against aircraft carriers, including hypersonic weapons and anti-ship ballistic missiles, could force them to adapt and go underwater, just like the Navy was considering 60 years ago. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Navy Could Have Had a Submarine Aircraft Carrier," 21 Nov. 2018 Based on a true story, this poignant, insightful and often funny drama about the healing power of art is adapted from Callahan's autobiography and directed by two-time Oscar® nominee Gus Van Sant. — SFChronicle.com, "‘Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot’," 2 July 2018 The aim of this research was to identify how different people adapt to low oxygen levels -- or hypoxia -- at high altitude and to apply this understanding to critically ill patients. — Katy Scott, CNN, "The dangers of oxygen deprivation on Everest," 4 June 2018 In adapting it in English, the National's deputy artistic director Ben Power has reduced the piece from five hours to just over three. — Demetrios Matheou, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Lehman Trilogy': Theater Review," 13 July 2018 Pavard said the risk and the need to adapt to another culture helped him mature. — Christopher Clarey, New York Times, "Benjamin Pavard, and His World Cup Highlight, Came Out of Nowhere," 4 July 2018 Directed by Charles Stone III, the pic was adapted from a digital series created by Pepsi. — Pamela Mcclintock, Billboard, "Weekend Box Office: 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Dunks 'Uncle Drew,' 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado' With $60M," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adapt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for adapt

Middle English adapted (as translation of Latin adaptātus), borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French adapter, borrowed from Latin adaptāre, from ad- ad- + aptāre "to put into position, bring to bear, make ready," verbal derivative of aptus "fastened, prepared, suitable" — more at apt entry 1