/ Dictionary / Index M maladaptive: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: mal•a•dap•tive Pronunciation: (mal"u-dap'tiv), [key] — adj. of, pertaining to, or characterized by maladaptation: The maladaptive behavior of isolated children was difficult to change. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: maladaptive (Thesaurus) maladapted maladjusted Related Content Daily Word Quiz: arid Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language