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.

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

When the right ventricle is forced to pump blood to the whole body, it develops several maladaptive traits, including overly large muscle and scarring.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2024