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
-
But following the pandemic, prices surged during the Biden administration and consumers haven’t yet adjusted.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His medication was reportedly changed or adjusted before the killings, though an exact timeframe for that alteration was not revealed.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And because the term is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration it can’t legally be referred to as milk chocolate.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The finding allowed those greenhouse gases to be regulated under the Clean Air Act, setting the stage for regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants and the oil and gas sector.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
February 20,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Most violations were corrected during the inspection.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lilley said the bill Graves helped write needs to be improved.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
-
While these returns aren't quite as lucrative as what was available in 2023 or 2024, they're still exponentially improved from what was available at the start of the decade.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulated. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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