modulate
verb
mod·u·late ˈmä-jə-ˌlāt 
modulated; modulating
transitive verb
1
: to tune to a key or pitch
2
: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion : temper
3
: to vary the amplitude, frequency, or phase of (a carrier wave or a light wave) for the transmission of information (as by radio)
also : to vary the velocity of electrons in an electron beam
intransitive verb
1
: to play or sing with modulation
2
: to pass from one musical key into another by means of intermediary chords or notes that have some relation to both keys
3
: to pass gradually from one state to another
modulator
ˈmä-jə-ˌlā-tər
noun modulatory
ˈmä-jə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē
adjective 
Example Sentences
Because she doesn't modulate her voice, she sounds the same when she's excited as when she's sad. The music quickly modulates from its original key, changing the mood of the song.
Recent Examples on the Web For example, something like epigenetic regulation (chemical changes to DNA) can easily modulate genes to be expressed at varying levels, rather than simply on or off. 
Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Sassos says that given its probiotic-rich nature, kefir has been shown to support a healthy immune system and even modulate the immune system to suppress viral infections. Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 20 July 2022 On a couple of laps around my favorite section of curving roads, the steering was precise and brakes were very easy to modulate. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Additionally, fluctuating levels of testosterone, estrogens and progesterone can modulate brain function in adults. Debra A. Bangasser, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2016 On the other hand, when government activities inject more jobs into the economy, inflation may modulate as capital flows more normally through economic pipelines. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Nearly everyone is irritable and irritating, but Reijn and her actors modulate skillfully enough. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 For personnel managers who want to do right by their workers while protecting their companies’ bottom lines, figuring out how to modulate part-time and full-time payrolls can be an onerous task. Daniel Altman, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 But, around town, the EV’s performance is far easier to summon and modulate. Dan Neil, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Wired, 13 Aug. 2022 Sassos says that given its probiotic-rich nature, kefir has been shown to support a healthy immune system and even modulate the immune system to suppress viral infections. Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 20 July 2022 On a couple of laps around my favorite section of curving roads, the steering was precise and brakes were very easy to modulate. Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Additionally, fluctuating levels of testosterone, estrogens and progesterone can modulate brain function in adults. Debra A. Bangasser, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2016 On the other hand, when government activities inject more jobs into the economy, inflation may modulate as capital flows more normally through economic pipelines. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Nearly everyone is irritable and irritating, but Reijn and her actors modulate skillfully enough. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 For personnel managers who want to do right by their workers while protecting their companies’ bottom lines, figuring out how to modulate part-time and full-time payrolls can be an onerous task. Daniel Altman, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 But, around town, the EV’s performance is far easier to summon and modulate. Dan Neil, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin modulatus, past participle of modulari to play, sing, from modulus small measure, rhythm, diminutive of modus measure — more at mete
First Known Use
1615, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Medical Definition
modulate
transitive verb
mod·u·late ˈmäj-ə-ˌlāt
modulated; modulating
: to adjust to or keep in proper measure or proportion
modulate an immune response
modulate cell activity
modulates
verb
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. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- regulates
- adjusts
- corrects
- improves
- modifies
- attunes
- adapts
- changes
- alters
- harmonizes
- tunes
- phases
- readjusts
- fine-tunes
- matches
- tailors
- customizes
- accommodates
- conforms
- shapes
- registers
- conditions
- ameliorates
- acclimates
- acclimatizes
- squares
- patterns
- gears
- puts
- rigs
- fits
- tweaks
- models
- suits
- fashions
- redresses
- edits
- rights
- readapts
- doctors
- fiddles (with)
- perfects
- revises
- repairs
- shortens
- moderates
- qualifies
- rewrites
- polishes
- rectifies
- betters
- reworks
- redraws
- redrafts
- emends
- amends
- restyles
- mends
- remedies
- touches up
- reforms
- fixes
- debugs
- cuts
- blue-pencils
- red-pencils
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- impairs
- injures
- hurts
- damages
- harms
- aggravates
- mars
- spoils
- worsens
- misadjusts