maladaptation

noun

Definition of maladaptationnext
as in friction

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 maladaptation Our knack for accommodation increasingly looks like what evolutionary biologists call a maladaptation. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 For years, maladaptation was given short shrift as research and policy prioritized mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. — Stephen Robert Miller, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2022 This maladaptation to lack of hip stability causes the knee to be unnaturally pinched between the upper leg and lower leg, precipitating damage and pain. — Matt Fitzgerald, Outside Online, 20 Sep. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maladaptation
  1. friction
  2. discordance
  3. discord
  4. disunity
  5. diversity
  6. strife
  7. disparity
  8. contrast
Noun
  • Sivulka also warned of organizational friction ahead, as employees start resisting handing over their institutional knowledge to AI systems that may eventually replace them.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • The trailer promised friction between the two partners as they’re reluctantly forced to work together.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
Definition of friction
Noun
  • Part of that discordance might be the fact that as a genre, rock has historically been difficult to define.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2025
  • The songs bounce from discordance and disorientation to harmoniousness and repose — even in the uneasy moments, the songs don't sink.
    — Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Definition of discordance
Noun
  • Meena said his contract was terminated prematurely, a dispute highlighting internal discord.
    — Catherine Muccigrosso July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • In a year where everything Skubal does has been fair game for discussion and discord, the barbs surrounding the WBC still have not faded.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of discord
Noun
  • Most believe there could be solutions through civil dialog, there are answers in the middle, and there is destructive disunity at the fringes.
    — Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 2 June 2026
  • Whether that agreement will rapidly come to fruition on such a tight timeline is looking increasingly difficult – especially amid disunity among House and Senate Democrats.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
Definition of disunity
Noun
  • Amazing wildlife diversity Making the Okefenokee world renowned is its diverse fauna.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • Even within the same species, unchecked inbreeding has harmed genetic diversity and overall health, experts say.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of diversity
Noun
  • Next year’s game is scheduled for the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field for the first time since 1990, but is threatened by possible labor strife.
    — Ronald Blum, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • The transfer of the Chelsea art space is only the epilogue for Marlborough’s multi-year breakdown—the gallery’s closure in 2024 came after years of escalating strife and discord.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 9 July 2026
Definition of strife
Noun
  • But according to Twain, Langley’s success also underscores the gender disparity in country music.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026
  • In an executive order last year, the White House directed the Education Department to issue new school discipline guidance, and called for a review of organizations that had promoted policies to address disparities in discipline.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of disparity
Noun
  • Argentina, by contrast, have twice required extra time to progress and their other two knockout games involved comeback wins with last-minute goals.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The newer furnishings and material components are colorful, bold, and rich in contrasts.
    — Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2026
Definition of contrast

Browse Nearby Words

making way
maladaptation
maladies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maladaptation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maladaptation. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All