misadjusted

Misadjusted is an adjective describing something that has not been correctly adjusted or calibrated. The term combines the prefix mis- with adjust, meaning to alter, fit, or align. It is used across technical and practical contexts to indicate improper settings, alignment, or configuration.

In engineering, manufacturing, and related fields, a misadjusted component or system operates outside its intended parameters. Examples include misadjusted valves, belt tension, or sensor thresholds. Such misadjustments can reduce efficiency, cause excess wear or vibration, and create safety risks. Corrective actions typically involve readjustment, recalibration, and verification through testing and measurement.

In historical psychology and social science usage, misadjusted was employed to describe individuals perceived as failing to adapt to their environment. It has appeared in discussions of child development and conduct, often within early 20th-century reform movements. Today the term is considered stigmatizing or imprecise in many contexts, with more specific language such as maladjustment, psychosocial maladjustment, or conduct problems preferred to describe particular difficulties without labeling the person.

In cultural or literary contexts, misadjusted may appear as a descriptor for characters or systems that operate out of sync with their surroundings, highlighting themes of misfit, malfunction, or adaptation.

See also: maladjustment, misalignment, calibration, adjustment.

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