as in updating
to adapt to modern needs, taste, or usage
a proposal to modernize the old school and bring it into the 21st century
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Recent Examples of modernizing
Ever up for reinvention, Florence is modernizing.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Campaign goals Stewart aims to shift how the local government operates by streamlining processes and modernizing at every level to support collaboration across departments.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Bobby and Mickey were kicking around this idea of taking Grateful Dead music and modernizing it, technologically.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Major opportunities for bipartisan progress include cannabis legalization, renewable energy expansion and grid reliability, and modernizing our infrastructure.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In a nation that’s largely overstored, there’s little room left to build new shopping centers, so mall owners have been focusing on modernizing existing properties.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Russia has been seen modernizing its nuclear facilities, and in recent years, China has expanded its main test site by digging new tunnels.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
Whether Lawless Design is renovating a 100-year-old Craftsman cottage or modernizing a 1940s Bauhaus house, the firm works to incorporate the client’s personal story into the design, adding custom pieces to fit their unique needs and aesthetic.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Supporters have said the rebuilt facility will allow Austin to host larger events, generate more visitor spending and create jobs, while also modernizing aging infrastructure.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Campaign goals Stewart aims to shift how the local government operates by streamlining processes and modernizing at every level to support collaboration across departments.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Bobby and Mickey were kicking around this idea of taking Grateful Dead music and modernizing it, technologically.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Major opportunities for bipartisan progress include cannabis legalization, renewable energy expansion and grid reliability, and modernizing our infrastructure.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In a nation that’s largely overstored, there’s little room left to build new shopping centers, so mall owners have been focusing on modernizing existing properties.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Russia has been seen modernizing its nuclear facilities, and in recent years, China has expanded its main test site by digging new tunnels.
—Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 11 Feb. 2026
Whether Lawless Design is renovating a 100-year-old Craftsman cottage or modernizing a 1940s Bauhaus house, the firm works to incorporate the client’s personal story into the design, adding custom pieces to fit their unique needs and aesthetic.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
Supporters have said the rebuilt facility will allow Austin to host larger events, generate more visitor spending and create jobs, while also modernizing aging infrastructure.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modernizing
Verb
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Casetta Group, known for elevating boutique hotels, acquired Casa Cody in 2017 and renovated the property in 2020—updating the rooms while maintaining the unique charm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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The strain is also visible within the Aurora Police Department, where aging buildings that were never intended to be police stations need updating.—
Kelly Werthmann,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The state is now in the process of redesigning a new system that will rely on two statewide 911 providers, one to act as a primary provider and another as backup.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
18 Feb. 2026
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Mazda could’ve solved its infotainment system issues by simply moving the screens closer to the front-seat occupants, enabling touch functionality throughout the system, and redesigning the native interface to be more modern.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Campaign goals Stewart aims to shift how the local government operates by streamlining processes and modernizing at every level to support collaboration across departments.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
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The sell-off in software stocks picked up in early February after Anthropic launched a suite of tools in its Claude Cowork AI agent, with the aim of streamlining legal, finance and product marketing tasks.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Offensively, Nebraska is remaking its identity at quarterback, with UNLV transfer Anthony Coladrea, and from within at running back.—
Mitch Sherman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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The show, in exaggerating adolescence—in remaking that consequential phase as a fantasy and a melodrama—also managed to honor it.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modernizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modernizing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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