to modify

Examples

• All

• I believe that this process is intrinsic but modified by specific cultural patterns.

  Academic text (1999)

• Nevertheless, there are great advantages to early treatment; symptoms can be modified and controlled for many years.

  Academic text (2011)

• So now I just have to make up new test questions or modify old ones.

• Sir Richard, do you wish to modify your testimony?

  A Man for All Seasons (1966)

• Talk with students about their perspectives on close reading and modify the experience accordingly.

  Academic text (2015)

• Another promising approach might be to modify the social structure of the classroom.

  Academic text (1999)

• The assessment of reading progress is the first step in modifying instruction to meet individual needs.

  Academic text (2015)

• The biological utility of memory stems from its ability to modify future behavior based on past experience.

  Academic text (2017)

• Modeling, testing, evaluating, and modifying are used to transform ideas into practical solutions.

  Academic text (2012)

• To improve the curriculum, the school decided to modify the existing lesson plans to better meet students' needs.

Synonyms

R

to reduce

vsto modify

116 2.1

To make something weaker or in a worse state

focuses on reducing harshness or extremeness without implying submission

S

to soften

vsto modify

98 3.1

Make something less strong or harsh

focuses on the same softening of severity rather than other changes

M

to mitigate

vsto modify

90 5.8

Make something less harmful or painful

shares the same goal of lowering severity but focuses on harm reduction

L

to lessen

vsto modify

72 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

is the targeted act of softening severity rather than general decrease

T

to tone down

vsto modify

56 3.7

To make something less strong, for example a sound, color or feeling

covers the same lowering of intensity across different expressions

M

to moderate

vsto modify

41 4.4

To make something less strong or intense

is the same general action described by the key concept

L

to lighten

vsto modify

36 2.5

To make a load or worry feel less heavy

addresses softening overall severity rather than only lifting burdens

S

to soften up

vsto modify

• Informal

26 3.9

To make someone more willing to agree or make something easier to bend

is about softening severity generally, not preparing people for action

A

to abate

vsto modify

22 6.8

To become less strong or severe and to make something do the same

targets the same lessening of severity with a general softening focus

L

to loosen

vsto modify

20 3.3

Make rules or limits less strict

is broader, covering softening of severity in many contexts

B

to blunt

vsto modify

18 4.2

To make a feeling or pain less strong

works on the same reduction of severity but not only on sharpness

D

to de-escalate

vsto modify

8 5.6

To make a conflict or tense situation less dangerous and calmer

is the general reduction of severity beyond conflict situations

A

to attenuate

vsto modify

5 7.9

To make something weaker, like sound or light

is similar but centers on reducing harshness or extremeness specifically

R

to remit

vsto modify

• Specialized

2 7.3

To become less strong or less tight

is the broader action of softening harshness rather than easing tension only

E

to extenuate

vsto modify

• Formal

2 8.8

To make a wrong action seem less serious to others

has the same softening aim but applies to general severity, not only faults

L

to lenify

vsto modify

• Archaic

9.9

To make someone feel calmer or less angry

applies the same gentling effect to severity or harshness generally

Antonyms

I

to intensify

99 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

E

to exacerbate

66 8.0

To make a problem or feeling worse

How Much

to mitigate

90 5.8

to alleviate

73 5.3

to temper

40 4.2

to modify

2 3.5

to soften

98 3.1

to moderate

41 4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology