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

The research examined maladaptive decision making, which refers to choices that continue to cause harm or disadvantage despite repeated negative consequences.

From Science Daily

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Salon

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

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

Related Words

• maladjusted