1. not providing a survival or reproductive advantage; not helping an organism adjust to its environment
Usage: biology; psychology
2. not able to adjust or change in response to new conditions

Examples

• The peacock’s elaborate tail feathers may seem nonadaptive because they make the bird more visible to predators.
• Some genetic mutations are nonadaptive and provide no evolutionary benefit.
• His nonadaptive behavior patterns made it difficult for him to succeed in the new work environment.
• The company’s nonadaptive policies failed to keep up with changing market conditions.
• Researchers studied nonadaptive traits that persist despite offering no survival advantage.
• The nonadaptive response to stress actually made the situation worse.