as in to redesign
to adapt to modern needs, taste, or usage
the new owners of the old-line French restaurant plan to contemporize the menu and make the place seem less intimidating
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contemporize
At the same time, the mill is celebrating denim’s heritage with a collaboration that contemporizes classic textiles.
—
Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, the beloved designer duo synonymous with reviving and contemporizing embroidery techniques, will also mark their presence at the Vogue Wedding Atelier.
—Sonakshi Sharma, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer; 2024; USA; 18 min
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid
performances in the art form.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Each is contemporizing ready-to-wear for the next generation of fashion followers.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Anne Hathaway — The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Anne Hathaway's take on Selina Kyle is a textbook example of contemporizing a timely character, which was emblematic of what Christopher Nolan did with the Dark Knight trilogy.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 19 July 2024
There was a real opportunity here to contemporize the story by factoring climate change into the increasing frequency of violent storms tearing up America’s Tornado Alley.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 July 2024
The museum has further aimed to contemporize its collection through digital access and social media, the demands of which have accelerated museums’ public-facing duties over the past few decades.
—Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
Some 20 years later, the character was drolly contemporized as Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand), who may not have made her son into a mobster but, far worse, made him into the kind of mobster who needed therapy.
—Mark Harris Keita Morimoto, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, the beloved designer duo synonymous with reviving and contemporizing embroidery techniques, will also mark their presence at the Vogue Wedding Atelier.
—Sonakshi Sharma, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2025
Lydia Cornett & Brit Fryer; 2024; USA; 18 min
Three trans opera singers refine their unique vocal talents and contemporize the history of gender-fluid
performances in the art form.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
Each is contemporizing ready-to-wear for the next generation of fashion followers.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025
Anne Hathaway — The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Anne Hathaway's take on Selina Kyle is a textbook example of contemporizing a timely character, which was emblematic of what Christopher Nolan did with the Dark Knight trilogy.
—Rendy Jones, EW.com, 19 July 2024
There was a real opportunity here to contemporize the story by factoring climate change into the increasing frequency of violent storms tearing up America’s Tornado Alley.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 July 2024
The museum has further aimed to contemporize its collection through digital access and social media, the demands of which have accelerated museums’ public-facing duties over the past few decades.
—Anne Wallentine, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
Some 20 years later, the character was drolly contemporized as Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand), who may not have made her son into a mobster but, far worse, made him into the kind of mobster who needed therapy.
—Mark Harris Keita Morimoto, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contemporize
Verb
-
In an interview with The New York Times, Sanchez explained her involvement in redesigning the space suit.—
Elizabeth Stanton,
FOXNews.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Aurora is moving forward with plans to redesign downtown’s Millennium Plaza to be more functional for everyday recreational activities but still accommodate small performances.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The commission — spearheaded by tech billionaire and senior adviser Elon Musk — argued at the time that access was necessary to modernize its payment systems amid the president’s moves to overhaul the federal workforce and cut government spending.—
Steff Danielle Thomas,
The Hill,
12 Apr. 2025
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After wildfires destroyed swaths of Los Angeles in January, the House of Representatives passed legislation that aimed at beefing up fire prediction and suppression capabilities and modernizing building codes in risk-prone areas.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Live updates: World mourns Pope Francis, a humble reformer who favored 'the poorest' Francis praised as voice for immigrants and the poor American Catholics praised Francis as a progressive voice for immigrants and the poor.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To meet the growing demand for nurses, Pennsylvania hospitals are partnering with colleges and universities to expand clinical training capacity, streamline pathways into nursing and develop innovative education models such as hybrid and accelerated programs.—
Kymberlee Montgomery,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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Louisiana's nine detention centers, eight of which are privately operated, include the only ICE facility in the country directly connected to an airport, thus streamlining mass deportations across the state.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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General manager Chris MacFarland’s daring and dramatic midseason overhaul of his roster has remade, reinvented and reinvigorated the Avalanche.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Another project to remake the 18th and Vine Jazz District in Kansas City for residents and visitors is about to begin.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contemporize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contemporize. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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