as in to redesign
to adapt to modern needs, taste, or usage
the new owners of the old-line French restaurant plan to contemporize the menu and make the place seem less intimidating
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Recent Examples of contemporize
Anderson has contemporized the timeline, situating us in our dismayingly recognizable era of fascist creep and following a sadly less recognizable underground effort to stop it.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid performances in the art form.
TO YOUR HANDS: DIR Ana Mouyis.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025
The struggling restaurant’s South Asian owner Ananya (Mahira Kakkar) clings to her and her late husband’s original dream for the place while her forward-thinking Thai-American cook, Jacob (Tommy Bo), urges her to contemporize the menu of traditional dishes and the House of India vibe.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
At the same time, the mill is celebrating denim’s heritage with a collaboration that contemporizes classic textiles.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, the beloved designer duo synonymous with reviving and contemporizing embroidery techniques, will also mark their presence at the Vogue Wedding Atelier.
—Sonakshi Sharma, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer; 2024; USA; 18 min
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid
performances in the art form.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Each is contemporizing ready-to-wear for the next generation of fashion followers.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Anne Hathaway — The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Anne Hathaway's take on Selina Kyle is a textbook example of contemporizing a timely character, which was emblematic of what Christopher Nolan did with the Dark Knight trilogy.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 19 July 2024
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid performances in the art form.
TO YOUR HANDS: DIR Ana Mouyis.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025
The struggling restaurant’s South Asian owner Ananya (Mahira Kakkar) clings to her and her late husband’s original dream for the place while her forward-thinking Thai-American cook, Jacob (Tommy Bo), urges her to contemporize the menu of traditional dishes and the House of India vibe.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
At the same time, the mill is celebrating denim’s heritage with a collaboration that contemporizes classic textiles.
—Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, the beloved designer duo synonymous with reviving and contemporizing embroidery techniques, will also mark their presence at the Vogue Wedding Atelier.
—Sonakshi Sharma, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer; 2024; USA; 18 min
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid
performances in the art form.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Each is contemporizing ready-to-wear for the next generation of fashion followers.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Anne Hathaway — The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Anne Hathaway's take on Selina Kyle is a textbook example of contemporizing a timely character, which was emblematic of what Christopher Nolan did with the Dark Knight trilogy.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 19 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporize
Verb
-
By keeping the same optical size, manufacturers can upgrade to 200 megapixels without redesigning camera modules.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
The company redesigned the insole to focus on 10 different pain points, from knees, hips, and lower back, carefully providing support for continuous comfort.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
-
This story has been updated with additional context and developments.—
Luciana Lopez,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Look for ways to update those experiences with radiant-heat flooring and heated towel racks, and with shower and tub designs that offer multiple water experiences (from rainfall to powerful jet massages).—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Local housing advocates say expanding affordable housing, streamlining access to vouchers, and creating pathways for hotel residents to transition into long-term rentals are essential.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
This is thanks to Venus and Mars working together in your sensible 6th house, emboldening you to streamline routines and add creative flair to useful habits.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Vacheron Constantin, for example, embarked on an ambitious project to fully remake its original American 1921 watch using the tools and techniques from the era in a one-of-a-kind piece.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
-
So my attention was taken up with wiping off the counter and the tiles, and remaking the coffee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporize. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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