Synonym Chooser

How does the verb adjust contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of adjust are accommodate, adapt, conform, and reconcile. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

When would accommodate be a good substitute for adjust?

The synonyms accommodate and adjust are sometimes interchangeable, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

In what contexts can adapt take the place of adjust?

In some situations, the words adapt and adjust are roughly equivalent. However, adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

When could conform be used to replace adjust?

The words conform and adjust are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

When is it sensible to use reconcile instead of adjust?

The meanings of reconcile and adjust largely overlap; however, reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of adjust Having said the previous day that 17 had died, the fire department adjusted that to 14, saying some casualties had been counted twice. Reuters, NBC news, 25 Sep. 2025 Using melatonin is best as a temporary aid to help adjust your sleep cycle. Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025 Now, Boose has had to adjust to fame. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 25 Sep. 2025 Farner noted that the school is still learning what works best and could adjust its limits as needed. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adjust
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adjust
Verb
  • It was first adapted for the screen by Spielberg in 1985, and again decades later as a movie musical by Blitz Bazawule in 2023.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The Japanese live-action series, which was adapted from Haro Aso's manga series, premiered in 2020.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some itineraries are tailored more toward couples rather than single individuals, or families rather than adults only.
    Mary Curry, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
  • For traditionalists like Coles, yachting means tailoring every element—menus, destinations, activities, even formality—to an owner or a charter guest, with the crew creating a familial experience usually limited to 12 passengers.
    Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Eisgruber also believes that speech should conform to norms of civility.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Young men are being labeled—and mocked—for taking on a persona that doesn’t conform to the traditional masculine stereotype, even though the traditional masculine stereotype is equally performative.
    Ashleigh N. DeLuca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The production came just in time to help the Angels (72-88) put a serious dent in the Astros’ chances of going to the playoffs.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Robot boot camps to drive change To put that into perspective, its most significant rival in this area, the United States, currently only deploys around a tenth of that a year.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The characters can engage in unscripted conversations, perform monologues, respond to trends in real time and adapt tone and references to suit platform-specific audiences.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Interestingly, this temperature property could make the technology ideally suited for diverse applications, from cold-weather vehicle deployment to high-demand industrial and automotive environments.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adjust.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adjust. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adjust

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