modernize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
modernizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
modernized,
past participle, past
-
modernizing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
modernizes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
modernized,
past participle, past
-
modernizing
present participle
verb
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(tr) to make modern in appearance or style
to modernize a room
-
(intr) to adopt modern ways, ideas, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
modernizesimple
-
modernizessimple
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have modernizedperfect
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has modernizedperfect
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am modernizingprogressive
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are modernizingprogressive
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is modernizingprogressive
-
have been modernizingperfect progressive
-
has been modernizingperfect progressive
Past
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modernizedsimple
-
had modernizedperfect
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was modernizingprogressive
-
were modernizingprogressive
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had been modernizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of modernize
First recorded in 1740–50; modern(ism) + -ize
Explanation
To modernize is to adjust or improve something, especially in a way that uses new technology. You might modernize your grandmother's kitchen by buying her a microwave and an espresso machine. When you modernize something, you bring it up to date. You could modernize your office by buying new computers, for example, or modernize your antique car by installing seat belts and a stereo. At the heart of modernize is the adjective modern, "relating to the present time" or "up-to-date." In Shakepeare, the word modern is often used to mean "ordinary," although today there's more of a sense of "the very latest technology."
Vocabulary lists containing modernize
Automobiles
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Absolutism and Enlightenment, Lessons 1–4
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for December 18–December 24, 2021
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Unlike some companies’ tools that require human guides, Blitzy’s AI-powered development platform can autonomously reverse engineer and modernize a big company’s legacy code base and then build entire software projects on top of that.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Washington says the company has also worked with Russian defense entities to modernize Soviet-era weapons systems.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Coming to Rimpac allows the country’s navy to benchmark against other U.S. allies as it looks to modernize its fleet.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
Supervisors have heralded Measure G as a transformative move that will modernize county government and reduce the concentration of power among the board’s members.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
In 1876, elected President of Bowdoin College, where he attempts to modernize the school, introducing courses in science, de-emphasizing religion, and becomes involved in student demonstrations over the question of ROTC.
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
Lloyd modernizes the stagecraft, injecting avant-garde intrigue into what is ultimately a commercial enterprise.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2024
Poland, however, now spends 4% of its GDP on defense, making it the member to spend the most in percentage terms as it modernizes its military, while the U.S. is well above 3%.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024
But one particularly interesting item on the menu is the charcuterie board, which takes an uber-popular appetizer option, modernizes it and roots it in Southern comfort food traditions.
From Salon ● Feb. 6, 2023
Foreign Minister Antonia Urrejola "is going to travel to Brussels to close and sign the political agreement that modernizes the Association Agreement," Boric said during a speech at an event for foreign and local investors.
From Reuters ● Dec. 6, 2022
Mr Horne modernizes it into— "His uppermost short cloak was a bare thread."
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol 58, No. 357, July 1845 by Various
More than a century later, the vocabulary has modernized, but the underlying idea has barely budged.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
“Even though we’re definitely encouraged by the way California has modernized the tax incentive recently,” Bajaria said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
The first DHC-515 -- the modernized version of the water bomber -- will go to Greece, Cote said, "in early 2028."
From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026
The company plans to refresh its product mix with modernized packaging and update store experiences for easier shopping.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Others preferred A-block’s modernized though undependable electronic locking system to B-block’s ancient, manually operated brakes and levers.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Bisignano, who has an extensive background in financial technology, has also set his eyes on modernizing the SSA’s systems.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Rather than modernizing the home through an extensive renovation, however, the couple chose to preserve its midcentury character while tailoring other elements of the dwelling to their lifestyle.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Through nine agreements on reciprocal trade and a growing number of preliminary framework agreements with key partners, the administration is modernizing international trade rules for an economy driven by data, software, cloud computing and AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
“No, it’s going to impact folks of every age in all sorts of places, and we shouldn’t be willing to sacrifice those folks just to say that we are making progress for modernizing networks.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
He was in his forties and had talked about modernizing law enforcement in the region.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
