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

Since then, there have been major improvements in modernizing the levees and flood risk management. —Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

State water officials say the tunnel is needed to modernize aging infrastructure and make the water system more resilient to climate change. —Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 2 Jan. 2026

The engine replacement program is part of a broader goal to modernize the entire fleet, including its configuration, radars, communications, and navigation systems. —Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025

The project also aimed to modernize the rail link across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico's narrowest land bridge. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

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