as in regulates
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modulates
In doing so, poetry modulates our neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, circulatory, and other systems to bring back healing.
—
K.j.s. “sunny” Anand, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
While the Earth system is unfathomably complex, Mills has been able to reproduce the broad trajectory of our climate over the ages by turning just four knobs — each of which modulates the carbon dioxide budget.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
That’s a big deal because plate tectonics is our master story for how Earth recycles rock, drives volcanism and mountain-building, and modulates climate over geologic time.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
These scenes are some of the strongest, as Pellerin impressively modulates Matthew’s turn from endearingly cringey to terrifyingly single-minded.
—Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modulates
Verb
-
According to Spark Biomedical, this stimulation regulates the nervous system and influences blood flow.—
-
The commission regulates taxi rates, towing companies and aspects of ride-share companies, such as licensing, permits and safety requirements.—
Verb
-
The new plan adjusts a person’s payments based on their income, with repayments ranging from 10 to 25 years.—
-
The device itself uses a button array designed for rapid input, with low-latency LEDs for clear visual cues in play and an adaptive difficulty system that adjusts challenges based on performance.—
Verb
-
The light blue shade counteracts purple and pink tones to cover redness and veins, while the peach shade brightens and corrects sallow-looking skin.—
-
When Linda says the gun has Mary's initials on it, Norma corrects her.—
Verb
-
Open year-round during daylight hours, both hotel guests and outside visitors can learn how to handle a bow and arrow practicing on static targets that are set further away as your aim improves.—
-
Lemon water also adds flavor, provides vitamin C, improves digestion, and can prevent kidney stones.—
Cite this Entry
“Modulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modulates. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
