ADAPT Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'adapt' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adapt are accommodate , adjust , conform , and reconcile . While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances. // adapted themselves to the warmer climate

Q: Where would 'accommodate' be a reasonable alternative to 'adapt'?

The synonyms accommodate and adapt are sometimes interchangeable, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence. // accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

Q: When can 'adjust' be used instead of 'adapt'?

The meanings of adjust and adapt largely overlap; however, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'conform' take the place of 'adapt'?

In some situations, the words conform and adapt are roughly equivalent. However, conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle. // refused to conform to society's values

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reconcile' instead of 'adapt'?

While in some cases nearly identical to adapt , 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

adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt

Definition of adapt

as in to adjust

to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation it always takes freshmen a little while to adapt themselves to high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misadjust

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adapt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adapt are accommodate, adjust, conform, and reconcile. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

Where would accommodate be a reasonable alternative to adapt?

The synonyms accommodate and adapt are sometimes interchangeable, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

When can adjust be used instead of adapt?

The meanings of adjust and adapt largely overlap; however, 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

In what contexts can conform take the place of adapt?

In some situations, the words conform and adapt are roughly equivalent. However, conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

When is it sensible to use reconcile instead of adapt?

While in some cases nearly identical to adapt, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adapt The Aura Edition comes with specialized software modes designed to adapt the laptop to different scenarios. — Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 11 Oct. 2026 Quarterback Jayden Maiava has adapted to different groups of receivers each game and will have to run the offense with confidence under pressure. — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Austin Abrams stars in Zach Cregger’s reboot of the franchise that adapts the video game property. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 Cancer June 21 – July 22 A creative idea may need to adapt to real-world demands today. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adapt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adapt

Verb

Next, by adjusting the photons’ frequencies (also called frequency tuning), the researchers can select which pairs undergo the measurement, controlling how smaller graph states connect to form a larger one.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Their research showed that Chinese import competition did lasting damage to American manufacturing communities, which did not adjust as smoothly as optimistic accounts of globalization predicted.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of adjust

Verb

Jenni Kayne, which has been in business nearly 25 years, is known for its essentials such as sweaters, shirts, dresses, footwear and, more recently, tailored pants and skirts.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Dermatologists can tailor treatments, from over-the-counter creams to prescription medications; avoid picking pimples, which can worsen inflammation and increase scarring.

— Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tailor

Verb

On a blistering surprise EP, Deafheaven find the vicious attack and grandiose drama of symphonic black metal perfectly suited to their purposes.

— Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
That’s precisely the work AI is best suited to automate, not the work that justifies a marketing department.

— Richard Freisberg, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of suit

Verb

The joy of being in DTLA is proximity to transit, putting Santa Monica, Pasadena, and everywhere in between within easy reach without necessarily needing Ubers or a rental car.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Choudri also made headlines earlier this year after the authority put him on leave after police arrested him at his Folsom home following a fight between his daughter and fiancée.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of put

Cite this Entry

Style

“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adapt. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of adapt

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

outlandish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes