modify

verb

ˈmä-də-ˌfī How to pronounce modify (audio)
Definition of modifynext
1
as in to alter
to limit the meaning of (as a noun) adjectives are words that modify nouns, while adverbs can modify adjectives and verbs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to change
to make different in some way he modified the appliance so that it would run more quietly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modify different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of modify are alter, change, and vary. While all these words mean "to make or become different," modify suggests a difference that limits, restricts, or adapts to a new purpose.

modified the building for use by the disabled

When can alter be used instead of modify?

The meanings of alter and modify largely overlap; however, alter implies a difference in some particular respect without suggesting loss of identity.

slightly altered the original design

When is it sensible to use change instead of modify?

The words change and modify are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, change implies making either an essential difference often amounting to a loss of original identity or a substitution of one thing for another.

changed the shirt for a larger size

When would vary be a good substitute for modify?

Although the words vary and modify have much in common, vary stresses a breaking away from sameness, duplication, or exact repetition.

vary your daily routine

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 modify Her resolution, which would modify House rules, would require staffers to disclose dual citizenship and employment with foreign nations. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2026 It was later modified by Hutton herself, who, in perfect Art Deco style, replaced the clasp with a round one made of yellow gold, diamonds, and rubies. — Valentina Bottoni, Vanity Fair, 20 July 2026 After news broke that Jace was in a mental health facility, Barbara filed a motion for emergency child custody and a motion to modify child custody on March 11 for Jace. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026 Four men were arrested last month for allegedly conspiring to plan an attack on the ‘Freedom 250’ UFC event on June 14 on the lawn of the White House by using drones modified to carry explosives. — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for modify
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modify
  1. alter
  2. change
  3. qualify
  4. remodel
  5. transform
Verb
  • Didymo blooms use up a lot of oxygen and alter the food web, according to Taylor.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
  • The researchers could take the output of the contact probability analysis for on- and off-target sites and compare them, identifying exactly which amino acids in Cas9 have altered contacts when there’s a mismatch between the guide RNA and the DNA.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2026
Definition of alter
Verb
  • Early estimates, drawn from a few fast-changing stretches of DNA, had put the lineage at only a few centuries old.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Neither of those measures warrant imminent rate hikes, but that could change if the Iran war spirals out of control or persists for an extended period.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of change
Verb
  • But the 18 young mothers served through Citrus’ child welfare contract do not qualify for that program because they are not involved with the court system through probation, post-commitment supervision or other juvenile justice pathways.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • No single company can qualify as both women-owned and minority-owned, and the businesses must have a presence in Kansas City.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026
Definition of qualify
Verb
  • The company plans to remodel about 10% of its roughly 1,200 domestic locations each year until all restaurants have been refreshed, a Chili's representative told Fox News Digital.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
  • Cracker Barrel stopped the updates in their tracks, reverting to its old logo and canceling plans to remodel restaurants.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of remodel
Verb
  • PayJoy, founded by Doug Ricket, is transforming credit access in the global south, enabling millions to afford phones and invest in micro-businesses where traditional credit is scarce.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Downtown San Diego has been transformed into a haphazard movie set with numerous activities for locals without a Comic-Con International badge.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026
Definition of transform

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modifies
modify
modifying
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Cite this Entry

“Modify.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modify. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on modify

Nglish: Translation of modify for Spanish Speakers

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