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
Other projects focus on AI agents modifying their own behavior.
—
Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
This year, students are working on a 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV, modifying and improving its performance as part of the multi-year challenge.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Keeping people in their homes often means modifying entrances to minimize steps, installing handrails, or relocating a bedroom and shower to the main floor.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 4 May 2026
Attendees will receive information about stocking an emergency kit, developing an emergency plan, designing or modifying the space around your home to resist wildfire.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Instead of modifying one gene at a time, researchers began exploring whether entire genomes could be built and inserted into cells.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
That second explanation, known as dark matter, was initially favored because the addition of that one ingredient could explain all of the observed physical phenomena on a variety of scales, while modifying gravity required different modifications to align with different scales.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Redevelopment means modifying the former Sears building to align with Dick’s House of Sports in-store features.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
As a result, liveblog updates interact with each other by correcting or modifying previous updates as the story unfolds.
—Daniel Jackson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Matthew Hutson, IEEE Spectrum, 7 May 2026
This year, students are working on a 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV, modifying and improving its performance as part of the multi-year challenge.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 4 May 2026
Keeping people in their homes often means modifying entrances to minimize steps, installing handrails, or relocating a bedroom and shower to the main floor.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 4 May 2026
Attendees will receive information about stocking an emergency kit, developing an emergency plan, designing or modifying the space around your home to resist wildfire.
—Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Instead of modifying one gene at a time, researchers began exploring whether entire genomes could be built and inserted into cells.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
That second explanation, known as dark matter, was initially favored because the addition of that one ingredient could explain all of the observed physical phenomena on a variety of scales, while modifying gravity required different modifications to align with different scales.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
Redevelopment means modifying the former Sears building to align with Dick’s House of Sports in-store features.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
As a result, liveblog updates interact with each other by correcting or modifying previous updates as the story unfolds.
—Daniel Jackson, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modifying
Verb
-
Other players contributed to the efforts, but those two were consistently altering shots.—
Dan Rios,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
-
Every day in stores across Florida, thousands of people pull out their wallets and purses to scratch a lottery ticket, hoping for a life-altering prize.—
Jack Jankowski,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Adjust the timing without changing the goal.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Having Last Driver be such a vehicular-centric book led him to being open to changing up its reading style and choosing to put it out in a landscape format.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Wyatt Stratton had just one goal heading into the section Division 1 swimming prelims a week ago Wednesday — qualifying in the 200-yard individual medley championships.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Customers can join the free 7Rewards program through the 7-Eleven app to access the deals and earn points on qualifying purchases.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
That same year, Weinstock’s began remodeling its department store.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
-
The project includes modifying interior space on the independent-living portion of the property at the basement level, minimal facade changes, new doors and windows, remodeling an existing unit that was abandoned and exterior improvements to site ramps.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nike’s Rejuven8 Run Jelly went sport-tech, reworking the brand’s 2008 recovery shoe as a translucent PVC cage with a removable mesh bootie — part water shoe, part cage sneaker, part Y2K recovery runner.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
By the end of the fittings, Hallyday had recut and resewn all three pieces several times, adjusting shades of white, reworking the skirt’s fabrics and refining the jacket’s cut, which was her biggest challenge.—
Kaio Cesar,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modifying. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
