modernize
gb/mˈɑdɚnˌaɪz/ us/mˈɑdɚnˌaɪz/
B2
English
~ 9700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
make something more modern
To change something so it uses new ideas or technology and fits life today.
Usage pattern:
to modernize [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *modernize* for people (e.g., "He modernized" meaning "He became more open-minded"). It is normally used for things like systems, buildings, companies, or countries, not for individual people’s attitudes. Also note the spelling difference between American English *modernize* and British English *modernise*.
Synonyms
update (General and very common; can be used for information or small changes as well as large projects.)
|
upgrade (Often used for technology, equipment, or services; suggests improving to a higher level.)
|
renovate (Usually for buildings or spaces; focuses on repair and new appearance rather than systems or methods.)
|
reform (Common for laws, institutions, or systems; emphasizes moral or structural improvement, not only being modern.)
Antonyms
preserve (Emphasizes keeping something in its old or original state instead of updating it.)
|
maintain (Focuses on keeping something as it is, without major changes to make it modern.)
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outdate (Means to make something no longer modern or current, the opposite result of modernizing.)
Collocations
modernize the economy
|modernize the company
|modernize the system
|modernize the infrastructure
|modernize the curriculum
|modernize the military
Themes
business
|technology
|politics
|work
Examples
- The government plans to modernize the public transport system over the next ten years.
- They hired a design firm to modernize the company’s logo and website.
- The hospital needs to modernize its equipment to meet new safety standards.
- We must modernize our teaching methods if we want to keep students engaged.
- The factory was completely modernized with new machines and digital controls.
Learner examples
- The city wants to modernize the old train station.
- Our school will modernize its computer room this year.
- The hotel spent a lot of money to modernize the rooms.
- The company is modernizing its software to work faster.
- They modernized the library to make it bright and comfortable.
unknown
B2
event
2
become more modern
To slowly change in a way that makes something more modern over time.
Usage pattern:
[something] modernizes
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "is modern" when they mean a process of change, where *is modernizing* is better (e.g., "The city is modernizing" instead of just "The city is modern").
Synonyms
develop (Broader; can mean grow or improve in many ways, not only becoming modern.)
|
advance (Focuses on progress, often technological or social, not necessarily on becoming modern in style.)
Antonyms
stagnate (Emphasizes not changing or improving while others move forward.)
|
decline (Suggests becoming worse or weaker instead of progressing and modernizing.)
Collocations
the economy is modernizing
|the city is modernizing
|society is modernizing
|the industry is modernizing
Themes
society
|economy
|technology
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The city is modernizing rapidly as new tech startups move in.
- As the country modernizes, traditional village life is disappearing.
- The banking sector has modernized over the last decade.
- Our legal system is slowly modernizing to reflect changes in society.
- The region has modernized significantly since the new highway was built.
Learner examples
- The town is modernizing very fast.
- Our country is modernizing, so more people use the internet.
- The industry is modernizing and needs new skills.
- The economy is modernizing and creating new jobs.
- The university is modernizing and now offers many online classes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
modernize
IPA
GB/mˈɑdɚnˌaɪz/
US/mˈɑdɚnˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
mod - ern - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mod)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: modernize
- 3rd Person Singular: modernizes
- Present Participle: modernizing
- Past: modernized
Word family
Forms
modernizes
verb
modernizing
verb
modernized
verb
Core family
modern
adjective A2
modernization
noun B2
Related words
modernity
noun C1
modernizer
noun
Advanced or less common
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.