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

Over the last 40 years, there’s been a major push by aviation officials to modernize Dulles, van der Linden said. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025

Experts said the administration’s willingness to modernize government operations presents both opportunities and risks. —Ali Swenson, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

The integration work also reflects growing international cooperation on advanced air combat systems as NATO members modernize their air forces amid rising tensions with Russia and increasing competition with China in the Indo-Pacific. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025

The expansion into property management, and possibly into the medical finance space, strengthens its mission to modernize complex transactions that aim to improve people's lives. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 5 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