modernize

verb

mod·​ern·​ize ˈmä-dər-ˌnīz 

modernized; modernizing

transitive verb

: to make modern (as in taste, style, or usage)

modernize a kitchen

intransitive verb

: to adopt modern ways

Older companies need to modernize to survive in the new economy.

modernizer noun

Synonyms of modernize

• redesign
• update
• streamline
• remake

Examples of modernize in a Sentence

We're modernizing our kitchen with a new oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher.

The country recently announced plans to begin modernizing its army.

The school needs a building with modernized classrooms.

Older companies will need to modernize quickly if they are to survive in today's economy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tasked with maintaining and modernizing the grid and accelerating the transition to renewables, LUMA has overseen a system in which only about 7% of electricity comes from clean sources, even as outages and rates have increased. —Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 28 Feb. 2026

The department also created a women’s services administrator position in late 2023 to modernize gender-specific care. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026

In a world that’s modernizing faster than most of us can keep up, things at Knaus have remained delightfully old-fashioned. —Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Florida must reform its outdated revenue system to truly modernize. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1716, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for modernize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

modernize

verb

mod·​ern·​ize ˈmäd-ər-ˌnīz 

modernized; modernizing

: to make or become modern

especially : to change to suit present styles, tastes, or needs

modernization

ˌmäd-ər-nə-ˈzā-shən

noun

modernizer

ˈmäd-ər-ˌnī-zər

noun