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
Ensuring no buildup of material and vehicles at any location is critical, as is modulating speeds and trajectories of trucks to minimize braking.
—
Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
These implants are used to send electrical impulses into the brain to help modulate the activity of the neurons.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The centennial of Baldwin’s birth, this past year, saw no shortage of hymns, modulating the key to minor and rendering the arrangements slightly discordant.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024
Both these studies suggest that exposure to environmental microbiota may modulate our gut microbial ecology, and this may then influence our immune system.
—Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
These implants are used to send electrical impulses into the brain to help modulate the activity of the neurons.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
The centennial of Baldwin’s birth, this past year, saw no shortage of hymns, modulating the key to minor and rendering the arrangements slightly discordant.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024
Both these studies suggest that exposure to environmental microbiota may modulate our gut microbial ecology, and this may then influence our immune system.
—Kathy Willis, WIRED, 21 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for modulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulate
Verb
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Colleagues in a healthy workplace regulate what’s acceptable and what grates with thousands of social cues that most don’t consciously register.—
Anna Jankowska,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
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Blood samples were taken to measure cytokines and chemokines, signaling proteins that help regulate inflammation and immune activity, and monocytes, white blood cells that help fight infection and heal damage.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images The budget resolution directs congressional committees to craft their own proposals to hit spending targets, increasing or decreasing funding by adjusting programs and policies that fall under their purview.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2025
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But this year saw a freak variable that prompted DraftKings to adjust the lines.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Supporters view McMahon as a capable executive poised to reform a department that Republicans argue has failed to improve American education.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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One above all is salicylic acid, renowned for its exfoliating properties that, by promoting cell turnover, improves scalp health by eliminating flaking and enhancing rosemary water's dandruff-alleviating benefits.—
Alice Nardiotti,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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