modifying

3 definitions • 3 examples

present participle of

to change something such as a plan, opinion, law, or way of behaviour slightly, usually to improve it or make it more acceptable:

Instead of simply punishing them, the system encourages offenders to modify their behaviour.

The proposals were unpopular and were only accepted in a modified form.

If a word or phrase modifies another word or phrase used with it, it limits or adds to its meaning:

In the sentence "She ran quickly" the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "ran".