1
as in altering
to limit the meaning of (as a noun)
adjectives are words that modify nouns, while adverbs can modify adjectives and verbs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in changing
to make different in some way
he modified the appliance so that it would run more quietly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modifying
The habitat-modifying keystone species play a vital role in the region’s ecosystem supporting the health and dispersal of wildlife and other native plants.
—
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The researchers plan to address the light sensitivity issue by modifying how the vitamin interacts with the electrolyte and by improving the engineering of the flow cell itself.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Running shoe companies must abandon the practice of designing women’s footwear by simply modifying men’s shoes into smaller sizes and brighter colors, according to new research published in the journal .
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Such a review — with the prospect of modifying or eliminating the rules — is mandated by Congress every four years.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
After graduating from college, Pendleton began her career as a cartographic engineer, designing and modifying maps at the dawn of the computer age.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Gene therapy is becoming a powerful way to treat challenging diseases that don’t respond to traditional treatments, and researchers now report the first success in modifying genes to slow Huntington’s disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
New York — The overwhelming majority of tech industry workers use artificial intelligence on the job for tasks like writing and modifying code, a new Google study has found.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
As the charge remained pending and moved through Charlotte’s court, Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather’s office did not ask a judge to consider modifying Brown’s conditions of release.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The researchers plan to address the light sensitivity issue by modifying how the vitamin interacts with the electrolyte and by improving the engineering of the flow cell itself.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Running shoe companies must abandon the practice of designing women’s footwear by simply modifying men’s shoes into smaller sizes and brighter colors, according to new research published in the journal .
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Such a review — with the prospect of modifying or eliminating the rules — is mandated by Congress every four years.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
After graduating from college, Pendleton began her career as a cartographic engineer, designing and modifying maps at the dawn of the computer age.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Gene therapy is becoming a powerful way to treat challenging diseases that don’t respond to traditional treatments, and researchers now report the first success in modifying genes to slow Huntington’s disease.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
New York — The overwhelming majority of tech industry workers use artificial intelligence on the job for tasks like writing and modifying code, a new Google study has found.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
As the charge remained pending and moved through Charlotte’s court, Mecklenburg District Attorney Spencer Merriweather’s office did not ask a judge to consider modifying Brown’s conditions of release.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modifying
Verb
-
For Charlotte-area entrepreneurs Eugene and Ayanna Williams, and their six children, the last year has been a whirlwind of new beginnings and life-altering challenges.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The talk show queen got in on the Tiger King phenomenon by altering her appearance to resemble Carole Baskin.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Others have shuttered their services, changing the landscape of the refugee resettlement process.—
NPR,
NPR,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Game-changing extras like the GSI Outdoors Pioneer Chef’s Tools and Uco Eco 4-piece Mess Kit are worth stocking up on, while prices start at $14.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The payments help low-income individuals and families buy food at their local grocery stores with an EBT card that can be used on qualifying items.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Children with qualifying disabilities are also eligible, according to the SSA’s website.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Kelly Emerson, senior designer at Aidan Design in Silver Spring, Maryland, finds that this reads early 2000s, and Dallen Russell, remodeling advisor at InSite Builders & Remodeling in Bethesda, Maryland, agrees.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The program, which is estimated to initially cost the brand about $1 billion, involves remodeling more than 1,000 Starbucks locations in the US and Canada over the next year along with closing more than 400 in the last three months.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
To avoid raising prices, which could cause customers to flee, Pappas has been forced to get creative, reworking some of his designs.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
25 Oct. 2025
-
While Metro Express will offer upgrades to commuters heading to Metrorail, the new service also means reworking other local bus routes along the busway.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modifying. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share