modernize
verb
mod·ern·ize
ˈmä-dər-ˌnīz 
modernized; modernizing
: to make modern (as in taste, style, or usage)
modernize a kitchen
: to adopt modern ways
Older companies need to modernize to survive in the new economy.
modernizer
noun
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
That includes expensive projects to modernize the grid and harden poles, wires and substations against extreme weather and wildfires.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Leader Xi Jinping has pushed to modernize the military, particularly the navy, to challenge US dominance in the South China Sea and assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
During his time as public safety director and police chief in Woodbury, Hering led efforts to modernize the department and introduced new technology, such as moving from paper to digital reports and records, Posel said.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Standing in the way of technology development is not a good look for the Democratic Party, but demanding that tech companies foot the bill for the need to modernize, upgrade and massively expand utility electricity generation would be a good position to take.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modernize
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Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2025
Leader Xi Jinping has pushed to modernize the military, particularly the navy, to challenge US dominance in the South China Sea and assert sovereignty claims over Taiwan.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
During his time as public safety director and police chief in Woodbury, Hering led efforts to modernize the department and introduced new technology, such as moving from paper to digital reports and records, Posel said.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Standing in the way of technology development is not a good look for the Democratic Party, but demanding that tech companies foot the bill for the need to modernize, upgrade and massively expand utility electricity generation would be a good position to take.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modernize
Cite this Entry
“Modernize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modernize. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
ˌmäd-ər-nə-ˈzā-shən
modernizer
noun
ˈmäd-ər-ˌnī-zər
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