maladaptive

American  

[mal-uh-dap-tiv] / ˌmæl əˈdæp tɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by maladaptation or incomplete, inadequate, or faulty adaptation.

   The maladaptive behavior of isolated children was difficult to change.

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maladaptive British  

/ ˌmæləˈdæptɪv /

adjective

1. unsuitably adapted or adapting poorly to (a situation, purpose, etc)

2. not encouraging adaptation

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Other Word Forms

• maladapted adjective
• maladaptively adverb

Etymology

Origin of maladaptive

First recorded in 1930–35; mal- + adaptive

Compare meaning

How does maladaptive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• adaptive vs. maladaptive

Example Sentences

By clinical standards, polarization shares many markers with recognized disorders: social isolation, chronic stress, heightened anxiety and maladaptive coping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 19, 2025

Unfortunately, this might be a maladaptive coping mechanism and can compound the problem.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2025

With chronic loneliness, that stress response gets stuck and becomes disadvantageous — similar to the way in which anxiety can shift a helpful fear response to a maladaptive mental illness.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

Indeed, stepdads went on to have as many chicks as did the killers over the birds’ lifetimes—upending the established idea that adoption is maladaptive and hinders a stepparent’s reproductive success.

From Science Magazine • May 5, 2024

It's been a longstanding idea that these symptoms, known as tinnitus, arise as a result of a maladaptive plasticity of the brain.

From Science Daily • Nov. 30, 2023

Related Words

• maladjusted