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 next

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

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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 People adapt to new circumstances and find other things to do. —

Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Gradually adding resistance or repetitions over time can also help muscles adapt while lowering the risk of injury, says Giles. —

Daryl Austin, USA Today, 20 June 2026 Brightened with lime juice, our recipe can be adapted to be made with an assortment of fruits or even cucumber. —

Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 20 June 2026 Achieving it will require artificial intelligence that can think, adapt and reason through completely unpredictable real-world scenarios just like a human brain. —

New Atlas, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adapt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adapt

Verb

Police adjust barricades at a security checkpoint at Nassau Street and Maiden Lane.

— Amina Kilpatrick, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Management Incentives Change The Situation Investors spend a great deal of time adjusting earnings forecasts by a few percentage points.

— Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of adjust

Verb

Once the new designs are approved (sometime this year, if all goes well), the DoB plans to publish the specs so that any contractor can download the design, buy off-the-shelf elements, tailor the structure to the site, and get a scheme approved in a matter of hours.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 June 2026
However, Craft House tailors its builds to suit owners' needs and there are lots of options available, including customizing its layout, selecting the building materials used, and even choosing full off-grid operation.

— Adam Williams June 24, New Atlas, 24 June 2026

Definition of tailor

Verb

This design maximizes ocean views while conforming to the slope across five or possibly more levels.

— Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 19 June 2026
The Pride in Production initiative from Pink Triangle Press has key industry backing and aims to drive more acceptance for Two spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non conforming people working in Canada’s screen sectors.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026

Definition of conform

Verb

With such a wide variety of different colors and patterns, these versatile Havaianas flip-flops are suited not just for the beach with swimsuits and coverups, but also with linen pants, longline denim shorts, and even summer dresses, proving that comfort is chic.

— Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 23 June 2026
Set in the hills of Joá, the west Rio neighborhood where the city rises into Atlantic forest and mountains, the roughly 6,000-square-meter (just shy of 65,000 square feet) property occupies terrain well suited to Burle Marx’s imagination.

— Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of suit

Verb

In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
That lawsuit, in part, accuses City Attorney Miko Brown of pushing airport officials to investigate a charter airline's safety record -- not because of genuine safety concerns, but to create legal cover for a city council vote that put $90 million in federal grant money at risk.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 26 June 2026