as in to regulate
to make changes to (something) in order to keep a desirable balance, proportion, etc.
He takes insulin to modulate his blood sugar levels. She kept talking during the performance, making no effort to modulate her voice.
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Recent Examples of modulate
It’s made with guayusa (a natural source of L-theanine and caffeine) and gotu kola (for modulating GABA).
—
Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
At other times, the cloak reads as an exterior, modulated, flowing sculptural layer—almost like a cloud that envelops the building, as with the Luma Tower in Arles, France.
—Norman Foster, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Studies suggest that MSCs can interact with immune cells in ways that help modulate inflammatory signaling, without broadly suppressing immune function.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
At other times, the cloak reads as an exterior, modulated, flowing sculptural layer—almost like a cloud that envelops the building, as with the Luma Tower in Arles, France.
—Norman Foster, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Studies suggest that MSCs can interact with immune cells in ways that help modulate inflammatory signaling, without broadly suppressing immune function.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulate
Verb
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This depth helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature without restricting airflow.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
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The door opened for college athletes to profit from NIL in 2020 after a pair of lawsuits favored Division 1 athletes and the NCAA began regulating it.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Because women statistically have longer life expectancies, insurers anticipate making payments over a longer period for female annuitants and adjust the monthly amount downward accordingly.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Markets have adjusted their expectations as well.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Columbia recruit improves career-record total to 791 strikeouts.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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Often, Bell wrote, desegregation turned out not to be the fastest or surest method to improve these children’s school experience.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulate. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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