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Definition of maladjusted

maladjusted

/ˌmæl.əˈdʒʌs.tɪd/
mal · ad · just · ed
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maladjusted Lexical Profile

maladjusted Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Failing or unable to cope effectively with the demands of a normal social environment or interpersonal relationships.

Example

"The school counselor worked closely with maladjusted students to help them build healthier peer relationships."

2

Poorly or improperly regulated, aligned, or set up for a particular function or circumstance.

Example

"A maladjusted carburetor can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly in cold weather."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for maladjusted
Antonyms
View all antonyms for maladjusted

• Rhymes for maladjusted

• Nearby Words

malacca
malachite
maladapted
maladjusted
maladjustment
malady
malaga

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 19th century from the prefix 'mal-' (meaning 'badly', from Latin 'male') combined with 'adjusted', gaining widespread use in early 20th-century psychology and sociology.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Maladjusted. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/maladjusted
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