Home › Words › M › modernizemodernize/ˈmɒdənaɪz/modernize means to make (something old or outdated) up to date, or modern in style or function by adding or changing equipment, designs, etc.modernize is pronounced /ˈmɒdənaɪz/.EtymologyFrom modern + -ize or French moderniser.verbTo make (something old or outdated) up to date, or modern in style or function by adding or changing equipment, designs, etc.To become modern in appearance, or adopt modern waysDefinitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).Words closest in meaningBy meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.modernizing 71% match — Reformist; tending to modernize. vs modernize →unmodernize 71% match — To demodernize. vs modernize →postmodernize 68% match — To make postmodern. vs modernize →demodernize 67% match — To remove modern elements or amenities from, to cause to revert to a pre-modern state. vs modernize →overmodernize 66% match — To modernize excessively. vs modernize →modernised 66% match — That has undergone modernisation. vs modernize →newfashion 64% match — To modernise; remodel in the latest style. vs modernize →futurize 64% match — To bring into the future or make state of the art; modernize. vs modernize →