Synonyms of adapt

adapt

verb

ə-ˈdapt 

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

• adjust
• tailor
• conform
• suit
• put
• shape
• edit
• customize
• accommodate
• prepare
• fit
• acclimate
• acclimatize
• condition
• modify
• transform
• match
• alter
• fashion
• convert
• readjust
• establish
• bend
• equip
• doctor
• tune
• revise
• readapt
• pattern
• correct
• model
• harmonize
• attune
• rework
• regulate
• orient
• ready
• redesign
• orientate
• familiarize
• reclaim
• gear
• recast
• remake
• accustom
• reinvent
• train
• root
• acquaint
• reengineer
• recycle
• harden
• habituate
• settle
• prime
• rehearse
• refocus
• fine-tune
• remodel
• refashion
• rig
• redevelop
• toughen
• revamp
• inure
• redo
• square
• season
• naturalize
• rejigger
• refit
• phase
• make over
• register
• refigure
• habilitate
• fiddle (with)

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

Recent Examples of adapt

With new challenges around every corner, the team must adapt, adjust and overcome. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 20 May 2025

Recipe adapted from Zaynab Issa via The New York Times. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025

The upcoming series is a prequel to the hit IT films which adapted Stephen King‘s horror masterpiece about a small town in Maine that’s cursed by the presence of a shapeshifting killer clown which returns to murder a slew of children every 27 years. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025

Lydon emphasized that Prevost’s thinking on such issues could adapt over time but emphasized that as pope, Prevost must now contend with the beliefs of more than a billion Catholics spread across the globe. —Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

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