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

162 2.1

To make something weaker or in a worse state

focuses on reducing harshness or extremeness without implying submission

L

to loosen

vsto modify

83 3.3

Make rules or limits less strict

is broader, covering softening of severity in many contexts

M

to mitigate

vsto modify

63 5.8

Make something less harmful or painful

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

S

to soften

vsto modify

50 3.1

Make something less strong or harsh

focuses on the same softening of severity rather than other changes

T

to tone down

vsto modify

44 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

34 4.4

To make something less strong or intense

is the same general action described by the key concept

L

to lessen

vsto modify

34 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

is the targeted act of softening severity rather than general decrease

L

to lighten

vsto modify

26 2.5

To make a load or worry feel less heavy

addresses softening overall severity rather than only lifting burdens

A

to abate

vsto modify

23 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

B

to blunt

vsto modify

21 4.2

To make a feeling or pain less strong

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

S

to soften up

vsto modify

• Informal

19 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 attenuate

vsto modify

9 7.9

To make something weaker, like sound or light

is similar but centers on reducing harshness or extremeness specifically

E

to extenuate

vsto modify

• Formal

5 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

R

to remit

vsto modify

• Specialized

1 7.3

To become less strong or less tight

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

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

D

to de-escalate

vsto modify

5.6

To make a conflict or tense situation less dangerous and calmer

is the general reduction of severity beyond conflict situations

Antonyms

I

to intensify

110 4.0

Make something stronger or more intense

E

to exacerbate

69 8.0

To make a problem or feeling worse

How Much

to mitigate

63 5.8

to alleviate

76 5.3

to temper

63 4.2

to modify

66 3.5

to soften

50 3.1

to moderate

34 4.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology