1
as in altering
to limit the meaning of (as a noun)
adjectives are words that modify nouns, while adverbs can modify adjectives and verbs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in changing
to make different in some way
he modified the appliance so that it would run more quietly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 modifying
At Tuesday’s meeting, Stillwell was unable to secure sufficient support for a moratorium on data centers in Sugar Grove, but the board did find some consensus on establishing zoning changes while the village looks at modifying its existing regulations.
—
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Parents are paying attention For parents facing accusations of irresponsible gun practices, the potential loss of custody should provide a strong incentive for modifying their gun behavior.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
The team further enhanced performance by modifying the SMP’s chemical composition and reinforcing it with carbon fibers to improve stiffness and durability.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
The Navy is now considering modifying a class of Coast Guard cutters that would lack basic armaments such as vertical tubes for launching a variety of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Penn later agreed to a deal similar to the one being offered to San Jose State, modifying school records set by a transgender swimmer and apologizing to other athletes on the swim team.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
But after months of driving and testing, the conclusions felt broadly applicable to anyone modifying a midsize or half-ton truck.
—Bryan Rogala, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
The council also amended the ordinance’s reporting requirements, modifying them from one annual report to semiannual reports, with an initial report covering January through December 2025 due by the end of the fiscal year.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The guidelines also emphasize the benefits of modifying everyday behaviors and habits, including regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco products, and healthy sleep habits.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Parents are paying attention For parents facing accusations of irresponsible gun practices, the potential loss of custody should provide a strong incentive for modifying their gun behavior.
—Marcia Zug, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
The team further enhanced performance by modifying the SMP’s chemical composition and reinforcing it with carbon fibers to improve stiffness and durability.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
The Navy is now considering modifying a class of Coast Guard cutters that would lack basic armaments such as vertical tubes for launching a variety of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Penn later agreed to a deal similar to the one being offered to San Jose State, modifying school records set by a transgender swimmer and apologizing to other athletes on the swim team.
—ABC News, 25 Mar. 2026
But after months of driving and testing, the conclusions felt broadly applicable to anyone modifying a midsize or half-ton truck.
—Bryan Rogala, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
The council also amended the ordinance’s reporting requirements, modifying them from one annual report to semiannual reports, with an initial report covering January through December 2025 due by the end of the fiscal year.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
The guidelines also emphasize the benefits of modifying everyday behaviors and habits, including regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco products, and healthy sleep habits.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modifying
Verb
-
Users can tweak structural parameter configuration files to suit different bamboo airframe designs without altering the core control algorithms, making advanced UAV technology more accessible.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Apr. 2026
-
That can mean gaining multiple footholds, altering authentication settings or gaining access via third parties.—
William Akoto,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of the most important concepts in cosmology is redshift, which doesn’t just come from changing your gravitational field or the relative motion of the source and observer, but from the expanding Universe as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That would involve changing some state laws, persuading housing lenders to be more accommodating and overcoming resistance from construction unions.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Awards and cash prizes worth $25,000, including five Academy Award-qualifying awards, will be announced on June 28, with the Best of the Fest program screening on the final day, June 29.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Enacted under recent legislation, this temporary deduction is available to qualifying seniors for the 2025 tax year and is stacked on top of both the standard deduction and the existing extra deduction for older filers.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Costs such as landscaping or remodeling other parts of the house aren’t deductible.—
David Schepp,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The foundation is also remodeling more than 25 public elementary school yards in the Oakland Unified School District and has completed 15 new playgrounds so far.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much of the redesign focused on reworking the home’s layout to better suit modern living, particularly on the main level.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For his debut, Bellotti laid a chic foundation—reworking the house’s signature double-faced coats in ultra-fine leather and introducing tailoring accented with sleek, unexpected cutouts at the hip.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modifying. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
