MODIFY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

modify

verb

ˈmä-də-ˌfī

Definition of modify next

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

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

Examples of modify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nor is there any evidence that Sars-CoV-2 was modified in a lab. —

The Week Uk, theweek, 20 Oct. 2024 The measures include allowing county election boards to modify early voting days, hours and locations and to open a polling place in another county if their own polling site has been impacted. —

Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024 Last Friday, SpaceX revealed some of the plans in an earlier FCC filing, which requests to modify the second-generation Starlink network to harness additional radio spectrum and use lower orbits. —

Michael Kan, PCMAG, 17 Oct. 2024 If the phrasing of the initial meeting was as reported, then your friend was already mistreated when told, rather than requested, to modify her (necessary, normal) behavior. —

Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for modify

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'modify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.