modernize

verb

ˈmä-dər-ˌnīz How to pronounce modernize (audio)
Definition of modernizenext
as in to redesign
to adapt to modern needs, taste, or usage a proposal to modernize the old school and bring it into the 21st century

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modernize From Fall 2019, Vaccarello’s collections began not only to recall Saint Laurent’s gestures, but to expand upon and modernize them — testing the extremes of the founder’s silhouettes and codes to generate almost unbearable visual tension. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026 General Motors has invested nearly $200 million in the past year to modernize internal skilled trade careers and manufacturing, engineering, and technician roles. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 The Coast Guard awarded a $400 million contract to modernize Training Center Cape May in New Jersey, marking the largest shore construction award in the service's history. — Michael Sinkewicz , Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The upgrades include modernizing turbines, steam generators and control systems. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for modernize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernize
  1. redesign
  2. update
  3. streamline
  4. remake
Verb
  • More than once, a board told its stakeholders early and plainly that I had been hired to redesign the business and that the directors stood behind the changes.
    — Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • So far, around 1,000 existing locations have been redesigned in North America, with Starbucks planning to accelerate the face lifts.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of redesign
Verb
  • To update the original design, from the spring 1997 couture collection, current Chanel designer Matthieu Blazy added his own touches to the silhouette—reworking it with a sweetheart neckline and a more structured shape.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Notably, Nandy is also considering bringing forward legislation that would update the latter to include streaming.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of update
Verb
  • During her State of the Union address on 16th September, President von der Leyen committed to overhauling single market rules by the end of next year and advancing EU Inc to streamline cross-border expansion.
    — Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Look for a platform that streamlines everyday tasks, integrates with your existing tools, protects your data and offers reliable customer support.
    — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of streamline
Verb
  • Even though The Onion doesn’t technically own InfoWars yet (the deal is still tied up in Texas bankruptcy courts), the company is forging ahead with its vision to remake the conspiracy site in its own image.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The revelations add pressure on an intelligence establishment trying to remake itself after decades, and complicate Berlin’s efforts to counter Russia’s hybrid war, as lawmakers debate expanding the BND’s powers.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of remake

Browse Nearby Words

modernity
modernize
modernized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Modernize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernize. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of syncretic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 16
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All