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 Across the world, the virus has forced the devout to adapt their practices — from virtual prayer services to sanitizing icons that are traditionally kissed. — Washington Post, "2020: The year of the virus," 31 Dec. 2020 Here’s a visually striking, easily digestible feature about an experiment underway in Bordeaux to adapt winemaking to climate change, in the Washington Post. — Esther Mobley, SFChronicle.com, "The most overlooked wine stories of 2020," 31 Dec. 2020 Many businesses closed, and companies that remained open had to pivot, adapt, and innovate to ensure the safety of their employees and customers while protecting the business. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, "Is my workplace being ageist? Ask HR," 30 Dec. 2020 But if a group is Zoomable, members adapt and keep going. — Katy Read, Star Tribune, "New Sociables helps women in southern Twin Cities suburbs form bonds, fend off loneliness," 25 Dec. 2020 The human body can adapt relatively quickly to cold temperatures. — New York Times, "When the Weather Outside Is Frightful, Here’s How to Stay Warm," 21 Dec. 2020 As the internet has sparked a massive increase in parcel deliveries and a sharp drop in letter writing, Royal Mail must adapt its business, and drones are a step in that direction. — Charlotte Ryan, Bloomberg.com, "Royal Mail Brings Scottish Island Closer With Drone Delivery," 16 Dec. 2020 Lordstown will likely adapt its platform to accommodate an RV and will work on a battery for travel trailers that can be integrated by companies such as Thor that build fifth wheels. — Roberto Baldwin, Car and Driver, "Lordstown Motors, Camping World Will Build an Electric RV Together," 15 Dec. 2020 Any business must adapt as technology and consumer tastes change. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "Breaking Up Facebook," 10 Dec. 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.