adapt

verb

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\ 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 environment

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 Upon Beilein's departure and Juwan Howard's arrival, though, Teske was forced to adapt. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball's Jon Teske has to rethink strategy as opponents catch on," 19 Feb. 2020 The biggest question is how democracies are going to adapt to this. — CBS News, "Transcript: Tech expert Ben Buchanan talks with Michael Morell on "Intelligence Matters"," 19 Feb. 2020 Microsoft’s ability to adapt to changing environments in technology, such as via its cloud-computing offerings, bodes well for its future, and investors should also like its high profit margin and growing dividend. — Dallas News, "Motley Fool: Warning signs for mutual funds, and the advantages of Microsoft shares," 16 Feb. 2020 At home in South Los Angeles, Ruiz, 25, struggles to adapt. — NBC News, "'Housing is not the end': Former homeless struggle to adapt," 16 Feb. 2020 But who better to adapt to the new order than the rare someone reared in the business who chooses to persevere despite everything? — Mark Kurlyandchik, Freep.com, "Leila is the 2020 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year," 14 Feb. 2020 As with the trend globally, Indian newsrooms have had to adapt to the demands of a digital-first audience. — Quartz India, "Kavita Devi on the jobs that will define India’s future," 11 Feb. 2020 Rent the Runway itself has had to adapt to an increasingly demanding customer. — Anchorage Daily News, "Retailers try clothing rental, but will it be a good fit?," 11 Feb. 2020 The Academy has been infamously slow to adapt with a changing Hollywood landscape. — Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, "Parasite Swept The 2020 Oscars, Taking Home Best Picture & More," 9 Feb. 2020

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.