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maladaptation

American  
[mal-ad-uhp-tey-shuhn] / ˌmæl æd əpˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. incomplete, inadequate, or faulty adaptation.


Etymology

Origin of maladaptation

First recorded in 1875–80; mal- + adaptation

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.

This PT maladaptation process offers an opportunity to identify noninvasive markers in blood or urine that can better and more safely predict AKI and manage treatment.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2023

CrossFit, then, “is one component of how to change the behaviors of adults, in an attempt to reverse our maladaptation to our current circumstances.”

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2023

“Our level of intelligence could be a maladaptation, a wrong turn, an aberration.”

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2017

Lastly, maladaptation is where the human response actively undermines the capacity of society to cope with climate change or contributes to the problem and increases the vulnerability to it.

From Scientific American • Apr. 4, 2013

Failure sheds light on the conditions of success, maladaptation throws into relief the mental work that has to be done by the normal individual in order to secure and maintain his good adaptation.

From Psychology A Study Of Mental Life by Woodworth, Robert S.

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