as in adjusted
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 modulated
At startup, the flat-six engine’s titanium exhaust sounds rowdier than that of the average 911, but is modulated enough to make long drives untaxing.
—
Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
Lopatin’s score modulated between tension and unbearable anxiety until its poignant (Iggy Pop–assisted) catharsis.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Bassett transmits the surreal shock of learning that her vows were spoken on shaky ground—and makes over-the-top seem properly modulated.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The researchers suggest this strategy may be shared by other deep-vent species, modulated by the local chemistry of their relevant habitats.
—New Atlas, 16 Nov. 2025
The two-term governor has modulated climate policy in some cases, but, in general, has refused to yield to threats from the business community about the costs of action.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
But her singing now is less showy and more nuanced and carefully modulated.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
It is also carefully modulated, meticulously executed.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
These two variables are clearly modulated by the sun’s activity, meaning sunspots.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
Lopatin’s score modulated between tension and unbearable anxiety until its poignant (Iggy Pop–assisted) catharsis.
—Jack Denton, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
Bassett transmits the surreal shock of learning that her vows were spoken on shaky ground—and makes over-the-top seem properly modulated.
—Niela Orr, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
The researchers suggest this strategy may be shared by other deep-vent species, modulated by the local chemistry of their relevant habitats.
—New Atlas, 16 Nov. 2025
The two-term governor has modulated climate policy in some cases, but, in general, has refused to yield to threats from the business community about the costs of action.
—Justin Worland, Time, 14 Nov. 2025
But her singing now is less showy and more nuanced and carefully modulated.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
It is also carefully modulated, meticulously executed.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025
These two variables are clearly modulated by the sun’s activity, meaning sunspots.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulated
Verb
-
Vrabel adjusted the defense away from a blitz-happy scheme meant to rattle Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sierra Canyon also adjusted at halftime and were quicker to the perimeter, chasing the Celts off the 3-point line.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Kratom products are not regulated and have more than 50 biologically active compounds in it.—
Gary Kirkilas II,
Boston Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
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Currently, prediction markets are regulated only by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an agency established more than 50 years ago to oversee and prevent fraud in derivatives.—
A.J. Perez,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our country, the historical beacon of freedom and democracy, is past a tipping point which, if not corrected now, may never be.—
Larry Pino,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
-
This story has been corrected to note the correct year in which the Mets played the Diamondbacks on Easter.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His control has improved substantially in two years.—
Keith Law,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Objective sleep measures, including sleep efficiency, improved.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulated. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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