maladaptive
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.
The research examined maladaptive decision making, which refers to choices that continue to cause harm or disadvantage despite repeated negative consequences.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 26, 2025
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
