as in to regulate
to make changes to (something) in order to keep a desirable balance, proportion, etc.
He takes insulin to modulate his blood sugar levels. She kept talking during the performance, making no effort to modulate her voice.
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Recent Examples of modulate
It’s made with guayusa (a natural source of L-theanine and caffeine) and gotu kola (for modulating GABA).
—
Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
At other times, the cloak reads as an exterior, modulated, flowing sculptural layer—almost like a cloud that envelops the building, as with the Luma Tower in Arles, France.
—Norman Foster, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Studies suggest that MSCs can interact with immune cells in ways that help modulate inflammatory signaling, without broadly suppressing immune function.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
At other times, the cloak reads as an exterior, modulated, flowing sculptural layer—almost like a cloud that envelops the building, as with the Luma Tower in Arles, France.
—Norman Foster, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026
Even for women uninterested in modulating their feelings and behavior to fit a societal standard of supportive positivity, perimenopause is presented as a hazard to health and well-being.
—Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 26 Mar. 2026
Studies suggest that MSCs can interact with immune cells in ways that help modulate inflammatory signaling, without broadly suppressing immune function.
—Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulate
Verb
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These layers and features work together to pull heat away from the body, regulate temperature throughout the night and promote constant airflow rather than trapping warmth.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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They’re regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to ensure proper safeguards are in place to prevent microscopic cement particles from causing health problems in nearby residents.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Stay honest, keep your promises realistic, and let the connection adjust naturally instead of trying to control the outcome.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Another challenge was adjusting to expectations for onscreen intimacy, a staple of vertical dramas.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Parker now has several options to improve an area that hasn’t been a strength in Dallas for a while.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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In good economic times, that’s hundreds of millions of dollars each year for upgrading classrooms, boosting teacher pay, improving security, and enriching learning in our schools.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulate. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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