'misadjust' originates from the prefix 'mis-' meaning 'wrongly' and the verb 'adjust' meaning 'to alter or move something slightly to achieve the desired fit, appearance, or result'.

'misadjust' was formed by combining the prefix 'mis-' with the verb 'adjust', which comes from the Old French 'ajuster', meaning 'to bring into line'.

Initially, it meant 'to wrongly bring into line', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.