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

Relevance

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 This technology is operational, scalable, inexpensive and evolving faster than most security institutions can adapt. —

Bill Edwards, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Reception robots will understand speech, gestures, and social interactions, delivery robots will optimize routes autonomously, and cleaning robots will adapt to changing surroundings in real time. —

Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026 Currently Alvarez is adapting the fantasy romance epic Divine Rivals, based on the book by Rebecca Ross. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026 Everything is structured around 10 core principles known as the Magic 10, which are designed to force the body to adapt. —

Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for adapt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adapt

Verb

Organizers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.

— Steven Sloan, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
State and local policymakers should do what’s in the public’s best interest and adjust their alcohol taxation accordingly.

— Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of adjust

Verb

Staff members assess each child's needs and tailor the lessons accordingly.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 July 2026
They’re also suited for specific boating environments, with canoeing most frequently seen in rivers, lakes, and shallower waters while sailboats are more tailored for wider distances and uses.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

Definition of tailor

Verb

Female leads typically conform to the mainstream beauty standard of pale, young and thin.

— Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
Theater artists who have come of age in this period have been released from the burden of having to conform to notions of regional theater respectability.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Definition of conform

Verb

Its beachfront villas suit multigenerational families and friend groups alike, with activities ranging from oyster roasts to horseback riding, shooting, golf, biking, kayaking, boating and fishing.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
These companies have been accustomed to selling products that emerged from lab work 10 or 20 years before and are now trying to speed up the commercialization timelines to suit an era of more advanced robotics and AI.

— Lucas Laursen, IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 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