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

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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

McMillan was in attendance for each of Woodward's postseason games and reached out to Cooper and Thomas about being the nucleus of a young team and adjusting to playing in the highly-competitive CMAC. — Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Woodward freshman Paul McMillan IV already making a splash with summer play," 12 July 2018 Donning new clothes, a few new hairdos and all of the same bristling attitude, each of the inmates is shown adjusting to a new life behind the bars of a much bigger prison. — Stephen Daw, Billboard, "The Inmates Are Out of Litchfield & All Maxed Out in New 'Orange Is the New Black' Season 6 Trailer: Watch," 9 July 2018 However, all three experts admit these types of products don't actually adjust to every skin tone out there. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "How Does Color-Adjusting Foundation Work? The Science Behind “Universal" Base Makeup," 9 July 2018 Get our daily newsletter Councils are usually responsible for helping them adjust to their new lives. — The Economist, "A Welsh town shows Britain a new way to welcome refugees," 5 July 2018 For the first six months of the year, the state has allowed dispensaries to sell product that isn’t yet up to new code so manufacturers can adjust to the changes. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "Why (and How) California Is Destroying Mountains of Weed," 2 July 2018 There’s a distinctly meta aspect to GLOW’s second season, which is essentially a television show finding its footing about a television show finding its footing, while its stars adjust to the strangeness of their (relative) newfound fame. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Working Women of GLOW," 1 July 2018 There are many questions surrounding the Colts, such as the long-term health of their franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck, and how first-year head coach Frank Reich will adjust to leading a team through the challenges of a season. — Indianapolis Star, "Colts on selling tickets: 'We've got our work cut out for us'," 25 June 2018 Pilots feel these vibrations and feel the bomber adjust to the sudden weight loss during an actual bomb run. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "B-52 Bombers Could Quadruple Their Wing Bomb Loads," 25 June 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.