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. businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality 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 In sum, digital giants and startups in the U.S. take on industry incumbents that can’t adapt and adopt A.I. — Michael G. Jacobides, Fortune, 2 July 2021 In practice, that means Office can now adapt to the current Windows 11 theme. — Chris Smith, BGR, 29 June 2021 The winners of this industry will be the ones who can adapt quickly. — Asokan Ashok, Forbes, 28 June 2021 The work itself ranges in topics and themes, but one cohesive element is Takeda’s focus on adaptation, specifically how people adapt to difficult or intimidating circumstances. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2021 Yun was candid about how well his players could adapt. — Sean Collins, Dallas News, 9 June 2021 The funding would be used to explore how to adapt cargo for space travel and identify how it could be delivered to austere environments. — Doug Cameron, WSJ, 4 June 2021 Boothby's experiment is designed to see how tardigrades adapt to life in low-Earth orbit, which could lead to a greater understanding of the stressors humans face in space. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 3 June 2021 Their appeal is akin to that of a national park or Dodger Stadium, places that will adapt over time but fulfill a similar role as a cultural heritage site. — Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2021

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