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

Initial results showed some cognitive benefit, lead investigator Clive Holmes said, but after they were adjusted to reflect the number of tests, the benefits were deemed statistically insignificant. — Christopher Rowland, Washington Post, "Alzheimer’s research is getting a reboot at small companies focused on the immune system," 5 July 2019 Over the years, these funds have neither kept pace with need nor been adjusted to account for changing populations. — Jocelyn Wiener, SFChronicle.com, "Calif. counties inconsistent in offering critical treatment for early psychosis," 5 July 2019 The increase is due entirely to a clause in state law that requires the fees to be adjusted every decade for inflation. — James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, "State plans to increase fees for mining on public land," 27 June 2019 That injury figure was later adjusted to two serious injuries and 10 with minor wounds, police said. — NBC News, "Suspected gas line explosion in Vienna seriously injures at least two people," 26 June 2019 The amount of money in government coffers was misreported, exchange rates were adjusted and more than half of the contracts given to companies to service the projects did not go through the usual government bid process, according to the report. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "Why a Venezuelan Oil Program Is Fueling Massive Street Protests in Haiti," 24 June 2019 The amounts are adjusted to reflect changes in average wages, which is somewhat similar to an inflation adjustment. — Liz Weston | Nerdwallet.com, oregonlive.com, "Liz Weston: Returning to work after retirement? You could increase your Social Security benefit," 23 June 2019 All the numbers were adjusted for seasonal variations. — George Avalos, The Mercury News, "Bay Area job market extends winning streak, climbs to record highs," 21 June 2019 The state Department of Education rejected the plan in December, saying there were too many empty seats at other schools whose boundaries could be adjusted to distribute students more evenly. — Lois K. Solomon, sun-sentinel.com, "West Boynton middle school will be built after all," 18 June 2019

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.