adjust

verb

ad·just | \ ə-ˈjəst

adjusted; adjusting; adjusts

Definition of adjust

transitive verb

1a : to bring to a more satisfactory state:

(1) : settle, resolve ways of adjusting conflicts

(2) : rectify adjust an error

b : to make correspondent or conformable : adapt had to adjust our approach

c : to bring the parts of to a true or more effective relative position adjust a carburetor

2 : to reduce to a system : regulate

3 : to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss)

intransitive verb

1 : to adapt or conform oneself (as to new conditions) adjust to the new regulations Our eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness.

2 : to achieve mental and behavioral balance between one's own needs and the demands of others

Other Words from adjust Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about adjust

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from adjust

adjustability \ -ˌjəs-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

adjustable \ -ˈjəs-tə-bəl

\ adjective

adjustive \ -ˈjəs-tiv

\ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for adjust

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 adjust in a Sentence

The car is easier to drive since the clutch was adjusted. I adjusted the volume on the radio. She adjusted the car seat so she could reach the pedals. Going to a new school can be difficult, but the kids will eventually adjust. It's hard to adjust myself to the idea that she's gone. He makes less money now, when you adjust for inflation, than he did 10 years ago.

Recent Examples on the Web

That sensor had been tested to the pilot's satisfaction, says Boeing; but on the 28th, pilots still had problems and adjusted—and landed safely—by going to manual trim. — Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, "Lion Air Black Box Shows Pilots Tried to Fight Automatic Controls," 28 Nov. 2018 And when the assistant works, adjusting volume without having to look for the remote is handy. — Jeff Dunn, Ars Technica, "The Ars Holiday Gift Guide 2018—good tech for the home and home office," 19 Nov. 2018 While the original Cary dress worn by the model features much more extreme thigh-high slits, Meghan’s own piece has clearly been adjusted to knee heigh—probably to adhere to royal protocol and expectations, and to avoid any annoying eyebrow-raises. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "How Meghan Markle Altered Her Veronica Beard Shirt Dress so it Would Adhere to Royal Protocol," 26 Oct. 2018 Google is extending its design atheistic that favors subtle, rounded corners even further by manually adjusting the Pixel 3’s screen corners during start up, as first spotted by an eagle-eyed Reddit user earlier today. — Dani Deahl, The Verge, "Google is using software to make the Pixel 3’s screen corners even rounder," 19 Oct. 2018 When your mood needs adjusting, try modifying your habits. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "What October's Taurus Horoscope Means for You," 30 Sep. 2018 However, if the $200,000 gain was trimmed to just $103,000 by adjusting for inflation over the past 28 years, the tax bill would be $24,514. — Fox News, "Trump administration considering tax break on capital gains," 31 July 2018 Putting an original spin on characters and adjusting comic book canon is certainly something that developers are banking on these days. — Michael Thompson, Ars Technica, "Drawn together: The love affair between comics and games," 24 Dec. 2018 Associates are welcome to request an unpaid prayer break for over 20 minutes for which productivity expectations would be adjusted. — Chavie Lieber, Vox, "Muslim Amazon workers say they don’t have enough time to pray. Now they’re fighting for their rights.," 14 Dec. 2018

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