maladaptive
adjective
mal·adap·tive
ˌma-lə-ˈdap-tiv 
1
: marked by poor or inadequate adaptation
2
: not conducive to adaptation
Examples of maladaptive in a Sentence
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Unlike healthy striving, which lovingly encourages growth, maladaptive perfectionism is controlling, and leaves no room for mistakes or differences in approach.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Research in animal models has shown that extreme heat can trigger what’s known as a maladaptive epigenetic memory, or lasting changes in DNA methylation patterns.
—Eunyoung Choi, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
In other words, while a strong culture is generally good, excessively strong cultures can be maladaptive, eroding thinking, creativity, and diversity.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In fact, doctors have effectively used manipulation of emotional memory in psychotherapy to treat maladaptive behaviors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2014
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Research in animal models has shown that extreme heat can trigger what’s known as a maladaptive epigenetic memory, or lasting changes in DNA methylation patterns.
—Eunyoung Choi, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2025
In other words, while a strong culture is generally good, excessively strong cultures can be maladaptive, eroding thinking, creativity, and diversity.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In fact, doctors have effectively used manipulation of emotional memory in psychotherapy to treat maladaptive behaviors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Aug. 2014
See All Example Sentences for maladaptive
Cite this Entry
“Maladaptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maladaptive. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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