as in adjusting
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
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Recent Examples of adapting
Writers Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon and Nunzio Randazzo were tasked with adapting Henry’s work for the screen and felt the anticipation around the movie from early in the process.
—
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Described as a safe, autonomous, and highly generalizable platform, MATRIX-3 is designed to perform complex, human-like tasks while adapting to real-world environments rather than following rigid, pre-programmed instructions.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
This isn’t to suggest that Dorothy was some secret femme fatale mastermind, but rather a real woman living in the real world, adjusting and adapting as necessary.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Sometimes the process of developing new shows is affected by the release of a new Disney film that speeds the process of adapting it to ice rinks.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
For Timothy O’Malley, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, adapting to changes in student behavior hasn’t been especially difficult.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
With an analytics-heavy and forward-thinking approach to roster management, Kiffin and his Ole Miss staff were, in many ways, ahead of the curve in adapting to the rapidly evolving transfer era of college football.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Artist and writer Kevin Mellon is adapting the graphic novel from the feature script written by Peykoff and the Neese Brothers, who are known as co-executive producers of The Umbrella Academy.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The book has recently been reissued at what feels like a propitious moment, when modern treatments of Greek myth proliferate, many of them adapting stories about destiny and order for a chaotic and individualistic time.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Described as a safe, autonomous, and highly generalizable platform, MATRIX-3 is designed to perform complex, human-like tasks while adapting to real-world environments rather than following rigid, pre-programmed instructions.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
This isn’t to suggest that Dorothy was some secret femme fatale mastermind, but rather a real woman living in the real world, adjusting and adapting as necessary.
—Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Sometimes the process of developing new shows is affected by the release of a new Disney film that speeds the process of adapting it to ice rinks.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
For Timothy O’Malley, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, adapting to changes in student behavior hasn’t been especially difficult.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
With an analytics-heavy and forward-thinking approach to roster management, Kiffin and his Ole Miss staff were, in many ways, ahead of the curve in adapting to the rapidly evolving transfer era of college football.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Artist and writer Kevin Mellon is adapting the graphic novel from the feature script written by Peykoff and the Neese Brothers, who are known as co-executive producers of The Umbrella Academy.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2026
The book has recently been reissued at what feels like a propitious moment, when modern treatments of Greek myth proliferate, many of them adapting stories about destiny and order for a chaotic and individualistic time.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adapting
Verb
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There were still fights to fight and Perfidia’s restlessness and struggles adjusting to motherhood led her to leave.—
Lindsey Underwood,
Vanity Fair,
13 Jan. 2026
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Smaller districts will have an even harder time adjusting their budgets to declining enrollment, said Tracie Rainey, executive director of the Colorado School Finance Project.—
Jessica Seaman,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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On his Stranger Things season five press tour, actor Caleb McLaughlin truly came into his own this year, taking a fun, distinctive approach to tailoring and suiting up.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2025
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Hale thinks wearables could play an important role in helping people with difficult-to-treat chronic illnesses manage their symptoms, but that requires further tailoring Oura’s apps and readings for individual needs.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
17 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The company is also conducting power-on tests of its first FAA-conforming aircraft.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By County Set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) each year and based on home values, conforming loan limits are typically used to determine maximum loan amounts for many mortgage types.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Quick was hardly to blame for New York's eighth defeat in nine games, with mistakes by teammates in front of him putting the veteran goaltender in all sorts of difficult positions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
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So, not surprisingly, Mars is putting even more shows on sale.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Education Department advised borrowers to use a Federal Student Aid Loan Simulator to estimate their monthly payment amount, determine their eligibility for repayment options, and choose a new plan suiting their goals and needs.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
11 Dec. 2025
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While used in everything from suiting to hats to outerwear, the fabric’s most enduring expression is the tweed jacket, often in rich patterns including herringbones, glen plaids, and checks.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Adapting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adapting. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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