1 adaptationist | Definition of adaptationist
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adaptationist

adjective
ad·​ap·​ta·​tion·​ist | \ ˌa-ˌdap-ˈtā-sh(ə-)nist How to pronounce adaptationist (audio) , -dəp-\

Definition of adaptationist

: explaining or seeking to explain the evolution of traits in terms of their adaptive function or survival value
Other Words from adaptationist Example Sentences Learn More about adaptationist

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Other Words from adaptationist

adaptationist noun

Examples of adaptationist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 But in 1968, the famed population geneticist Motoo Kimura resisted the adaptationist perspective with his neutral theory of molecular evolution. — Quanta Magazine, "Theorists Debate How ‘Neutral’ Evolution Really Is," 8 Nov. 2018 The biologists who most militantly defend the adaptationist Darwinian view of evolution, such as Richard Dawkins, do not gladly suffer dissent. — David Dobbs, New York Times, "Survival of the Prettiest," 18 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adaptationist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of adaptationist

1931, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for adaptationist

adaptation + -ist entry 2

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