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

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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 Chaparral are adapted to fire every 30 to 130 years — not every eight. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Especially once they’re pushed out of their family home and must make do in a cottage in Devonshire, Snell wanted to show how the girls borrow from each other, adapt odds and ends, and don’t always put outfits together to match. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 France, meanwhile, has offered to adapt its nuclear policy to help defend its European allies. — Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026 Darker and more serious than Austen’s other works, Mansfield Park gets adapted for movies and television less frequently than its peers. — Nicholas Derenzo, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adapt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adapt

Verb

The simple industrial design gets a neat little accent in the form of a physical knob for adjusting playback, track navigation, and volume.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
The first-year Falcons head coach also does not believe the game plan will need to be adjusted heading into the matchup with the Bears.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 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 blaze sparked evacuation orders for the Encinal Canyon area near Trancas Canyon and put a larger swath of Malibu under an evacuation warning.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The Rays need a win here to tie up the series, and the Guardians want a win to put Tampa Bay’s back against the wall.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of put

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“Adapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adapt. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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