Synonyms

adjust

American

[uh-juhst] / əˈdʒʌst /

verb (used with object)

to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate.

to adjust expenses to income.
to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position.

to adjust an instrument.

Synonyms:

fix, repair, set
to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result.

to adjust our differences.

Synonyms:

reconcile, rectify, arrange
Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
to systematize.
Military. to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).

verb (used without object)

to adapt oneself; become adapted.

They had no problems in adjusting at the new school.

adjust British

/ əˈdʒʌst /

verb

(tr) to alter slightly, esp to achieve accuracy; regulate

to adjust the television
to adapt, as to a new environment, etc
(tr) to put into order
(tr) insurance to determine the amount payable in settlement of (a claim)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does adjust mean? To adjust is to change something so that it fits or adapts to something else or to its environment, as in Macky adjusted the menu so that it included more healthy dishes. To adjust is also to fix or put into a correct position or state, as in Adjust the radio dial, please, so that the station comes in clearly. To adjust also means to put into a satisfactory state, as in Laird adjusted the pitch of his voice to blend in better with the rest of the choir. Adjust can also be used as a synonym for adapt and can be used in reference to people, animals, or objects. For example, if you move to a new city, you may need time to adjust to your new home, learning what’s available and where everything is. Example: Adjust the speakers so that they are facing the audience.

Synonym Usage

Adjust, adapt, alter in their literal meanings imply making necessary or desirable changes (as in position, shape, or the like). To adjust is to move into proper position for use: to adjust the eyepiece of a telescope. To adapt is to make a change in character, to make something useful in a new way: to adapt a paper clip for a hairpin. To alter is to change the appearance but not the use: to alter the height of a table.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of adjust

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ajusten, from Anglo-French ajuster, Old French aj(o)uster “to make conform to,” verb derivative (with a- a- ⁵ ) of juste “right” ( see just ¹), influenced in sense by ajoster, ajouter “to add,” from Late Latin adjuxtāre ( see ad-, joust)

Explanation

When you adjust to something, you change so that you can fit in, conform, or keep on going. Arriving at a new school almost always requires that you adjust a little. Once you adjust, you'll find you're as happy as you were in your old school. To adjust doesn't mean to transform in a major way. It implies small but important changes that make a big difference. If you adjust your speed by just ten miles per hour, you'll get more than fifty more miles per fill-up. You can adjust your hair to make it fancier, you can adjust your lifestyle to make it more sober, or you can adjust your attitude to make yourself less annoying. You used to have to adjust your TV antenna to get a better picture. Ask your mom.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

adjust adjusts adjusted adjusting

The researchers theoretically demonstrated that the two loop couplers could be used to adjust the bandwidth and shape of the passband.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

"With regular helps, there is a fixed schedule and I have to adjust my routine around their availability," she told AFP.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

After an application is turned down, the developer can choose to adjust the proposal and resubmit it, or submit an appeal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

She may need to adjust withholding from retirement distributions, pensions, or even Social Security benefits to avoid an unexpected tax bill.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 18, 2026

She knew Thorn was right and that she had to adjust her attitude unless she wanted to stay a Forever Witchling: witches who never formed a coven.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

ARMs have a fixed, typically lower mortgage rate for the first three, five or seven years, after which the rate adjusts regularly.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

She pulls a hand-held camera from her purse, adjusts her soft curls, and applies a fresh coat of lip gloss.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

As the surrounding environment adjusts, these impurities still undergo slight movements.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

The company builds an AI-powered "personal sweat index" for users that adjusts the expected results based on factors like their demographic background and the ambient temperature.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

He makes me walk, he adjusts, he makes me walk, he adjusts...and when he’s finally done, he smiles at me.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Each day, people adjusted to federal movement, ICE and Customs and Border Protection adjusted to being watched, and people adjusted again.

From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026

The U.K. drugmaker said total revenue for the quarter came to $15.38 billion compared with $14.46 billion for the same period last year, with a 5% increase when adjusted for currency changes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Markets have adjusted to the conflict by drawing on commercial and strategic reserves, keeping a lid on demand and seeking out other countries for crude and crude products.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

The researchers adjusted for factors that might affect the findings, including age, sex, ethnicity, pre-existing conditions, use of other medications, and body mass index.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

Headmaster, however, adjusted the order, taking Neel by the arm and pulling him to the back.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

By adjusting their size, the larvae can change their buoyancy and control whether they rise or sink in the lake.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 27, 2026

Now, the Oscar-winning actor is adjusting to an emptier nest as two of his and wife Luciana Barroso’s four daughters head out into the world.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

But adjusting to life there was not easy.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

He kept fine-tuning his delivery and adjusting his pitch mix, right through a rough patch in late May, and into a consistent June.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Anya’s eyes were adjusting to the near pitch-darkness of the bag.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023