as in regulates
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 modulates
In doing so, poetry modulates our neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, circulatory, and other systems to bring back healing.
—
K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s a big deal because plate tectonics is our master story for how Earth recycles rock, drives volcanism and mountain-building, and modulates climate over geologic time.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
These scenes are some of the strongest, as Pellerin impressively modulates Matthew’s turn from endearingly cringey to terrifyingly single-minded.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Coating the film with transparent electrodes enabled them to excite the crystal, setting up an acoustic standing wave that modulates the intensity of light passing through it.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2022
K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s a big deal because plate tectonics is our master story for how Earth recycles rock, drives volcanism and mountain-building, and modulates climate over geologic time.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
These scenes are some of the strongest, as Pellerin impressively modulates Matthew’s turn from endearingly cringey to terrifyingly single-minded.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Coating the film with transparent electrodes enabled them to excite the crystal, setting up an acoustic standing wave that modulates the intensity of light passing through it.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulates
Verb
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Among his priorities is changing the agency’s name because the Railroad Commission no longer regulates railroads, focusing instead on oil and gas, pipelines, natural gas utilities and certain mining activities.—
Aarón Torres,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
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The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, which regulates telecommunications, only signed the memorandum in December 2025.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dunn finds himself in the difficult position of having to handle the ball, score and play defense as the team adjusts to new players and the absence of others.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
27 Feb. 2026
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The bill also adjusts a recent law that set the minimum age for Kindergarten at 5 years old.—
CT Mirror,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The answer is a combination of ingredients that corrects, prevents, and protects—not to mention the affordable price point.—
Erika Reals,
InStyle,
27 Feb. 2026
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This story corrects the name of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Pro Collagen Marine Cream with SPF 30 is the ultimate 3-in-1 anti-wrinkle moisturizer that improves hydration and firmness while protecting skin from sun exposure.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The electrolyte is a gel, which improves energy density without the chemical instability risks of fully solid designs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulates. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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