Success in adaptation is antithetical to maladaptation. Maladaptation refers to current or potential future negative consequences, including failed or partially successful adaptation  but also trade-offs or side effects of adaptation . Thus, success of adaptation and maladaptation form the ends of a continuum that represents the balancing of synergies and trade-offs across regions, populations or sectors . Every adaptation action may be placed along such a continuum reflecting the empirical evidence of adaptation practices and their assessment .
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report