unadaptable

adjective

un·​adapt·​able ˌən-ə-ˈdap-tə-bəl How to pronounce unadaptable (audio)
-a-
Synonyms of unadaptablenext
: not adaptable: such as
a
: not capable of adjusting to new conditions or situations
people who are unadaptable to change
b
: not capable of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses
An economy that is … unadaptable is not efficient.—Jane Jacobs
an unadaptable computer system
unadaptability
ˌən-ə-dap-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce unadaptable (audio)
-a-
noun

Examples of unadaptable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many thought that these books were unadaptable, but these movies have turned out wonderfully and are surprisingly faithful to the host work. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Werber’s intricate world-building and philosophical undercurrents have long been considered unadaptable, but Xilam and UGC have set off crack the beloved novel to deliver a high-concept series aimed at global family audiences, spanning from young viewers to adults who grew up with the bestseller. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025 Over his decade-plus of work on FX series Legion and Fargo, Hawley has come to be heralded as an adaptor of unadaptable things, someone who distills the essence of an original work and then remixes it with fantastical touches and lived-in characters. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025 People have talked about this being unadaptable. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unadaptable

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unadaptable was in 1882

Rhymes for unadaptable

See All Rhymes for unadaptable

Browse Nearby Words

unactuated
unadaptable
unadapted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unadaptable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unadaptable. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unadaptable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unadaptable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nurture

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All