alter

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

Other forms: altered; altering; alters

After eating too many gingerbread cookies, she no longer fit into her uniform, so she had a seamstress alter it. It looked pretty much the same.

The verb alter can also mean to neuter or spay. Think of a cat that has just been spayed: the cat you pick up from the vet is the same cat that you dropped off there, only perhaps a little groggy and unable to reproduce. While the cat has been altered, it's not a different cat.

Definitions of alter

verb
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

“The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city”

synonyms: change, modify

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types:
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arouse, awaken, rouse, wake, wake up, waken
cause to become awake or conscious

cause to sleep
make fall asleep

affect
act physically on; have an effect upon

freshen, refresh, refreshen
make fresh again

fecundate, fertilise, fertilize, inseminate
introduce semen into (a female)

indispose
cause to feel unwell

cry
bring into a particular state by crying

etiolate
make pale or sickly

shade
vary slightly

animalise, animalize, brutalise, brutalize
make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman

convert
change the nature, purpose, or function of something

opalise, opalize
make opalescent

arterialise, arterialize
change venous blood into arterial blood

get, make
give certain properties to something

counterchange, interchange, transpose
cause to change places

vascularise, vascularize
make vascular

decrepitate
to roast or calcine so as to cause to crackle or until crackling stops

suburbanise, suburbanize
make suburban in character

overturn, revolutionise, revolutionize
change radically

etiolate
bleach and alter the natural development of (a green plant) by excluding sunlight

barbarise, barbarize
make crude or savage in behavior or speech

alkalinise, alkalinize
make (a substance) alkaline

mythicise, mythicize, mythologise, mythologize
make into a myth

allegorise, allegorize
make into an allegory

demythologise, demythologize
remove the mythical element from (writings)

bring, land
bring into a different state

coarsen
make less subtle or refined

affect, bear on, bear upon, impact, touch, touch on
have an effect upon

alchemise, alchemize
alter (elements) by alchemy

alcoholise, alcoholize
make alcoholic, as by fermenting

form, shape
give shape or form to

round, round down, round off, round out
express as a round number

suspend
cause to be held in suspension in a fluid

sober
cause to become sober

reconstruct
cause somebody to adapt or reform socially or politically

increase
make bigger or more

ease off, ease up, let up
reduce pressure or intensity

assimilate
make similar

dissimilate
make dissimilar; cause to become less similar

commute, convert, exchange
exchange a penalty for a less severe one

vitalise, vitalize
give life to

clear, unclutter
rid of obstructions

activate
make active or more active

activate
make (substances) radioactive

activate, aerate
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter

activate
make more adsorptive

deactivate, inactivate
make inactive

blunt, deaden
make less lively, intense, or vigorous; impair in vigor, force, activity, or sensation

reconstruct, redo, remodel
do over, as of (part of) a house

edit, redact
prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting

cut, edit, edit out
cut and assemble the components of

chasten, subdue, tame
correct by punishment or discipline

chasten, moderate, temper
restrain

ameliorate, amend, better, improve, meliorate
make better

aggravate, exacerbate, exasperate, worsen
make worse

wet
cause to become wet

dry, dry out
remove the moisture from and make dry

lubricate
make slippery or smooth through the application of a lubricant

beef up, fortify, strengthen
make strong or stronger

fortify, lace, spike
add alcohol to (beverages)

weaken
lessen the strength of

blunt
make less sharp

oxidate, oxidise, oxidize
add oxygen to or combine with oxygen

merge, unify, unite
join or combine

age
make older

mature, ripen
cause to ripen or develop fully

antiquate, antique
give an antique appearance to

antiquate
make obsolete or old-fashioned

develop, make grow
cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development

soften
make soft or softer

damage
inflict damage upon

ossify
cause to become hard and bony

acerbate
make sour or bitter

stabilise, stabilize
make stable and keep from fluctuating or put into an equilibrium

destabilise, destabilize
make unstable

sensibilise, sensibilize, sensify, sensitise, sensitize
make sensitive or aware

desensitise, desensitize
make insensitive

accustom, habituate
make psychologically or physically used (to something)

disarray, disorder
bring disorder to

discolor, discolour
cause to lose or change color

color, color in, colorise, colorize, colour, colour in, colourise, colourize
add color to

stain
produce or leave stains

hue
take on color or become colored

uglify
make ugly

untune
cause to be out of tune

adjust, correct, set
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard

set
put into a certain state; cause to be in a certain state

disqualify, indispose, unfit
make unfit or unsuitable

domesticate, domesticise, domesticize, reclaim, tame
overcome the wildness of; make docile and tractable

widen
make wider

dehydrogenate
remove hydrogen from

hydrogenate
combine or treat with or expose to hydrogen; add hydrogen to the molecule of (an unsaturated organic compound)

oxygenise, oxygenize
change (a compound) by increasing the proportion of the electronegative part; or change (an element or ion) from a lower to a higher positive valence: remove one or more electrons from (an atom, ion, or molecule)

darken
make dark or darker

brighten, lighten, lighten up
make lighter or brighter

blear, blur
make dim or indistinct

bedim, obscure, overcloud
make obscure or unclear

blot out, hide, obliterate, obscure, veil
make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing

cook
transform by heating

slenderise, slenderize
make slender or appear to be slender

crack
cause to become cracked

dismiss, dissolve
declare void

end, terminate
bring to an end or halt

defog, demist
free from mist

concentrate, condense, contract
compress or concentrate

chill, cool, cool down
make cool or cooler

heat, heat up
make hot or hotter

warm
make warm or warmer

boil
bring to, or maintain at, the boiling point

freeze
cause to freeze

blister
cause blisters to form on

change over, shift, switch
make a shift in or exchange of

transpose
change key

change over, convert
change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy

transform
increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage)

transform
change (a bacterial cell) into a genetically distinct cell by the introduction of DNA from another cell of the same or closely related species

transform
convert (one form of energy) to another

transmute
alter the nature of (elements)

transform, transmute, transubstantiate
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature

ash
convert into ashes

transform, translate
change from one form or medium into another

reclaim, rectify, reform, regenerate
bring, lead, or force to abandon a wrong or evil course of life, conduct, and adopt a right one

convert
cause to adopt a new or different faith

Islamise, Islamize
cause to conform to Islamic law

invert, reverse, turn back
turn inside out or upside down

invert
make an inversion (in a musical composition)

customise, customize
make according to requirements

individualise, individualize, personalise, personalize
make personal or more personal

depersonalise, depersonalize, objectify
make impersonal or present as an object

sharpen
raise the pitch of (musical notes)

drop, flatten
lower the pitch of (musical notes)

disintegrate
cause to undergo fission or lose particles

magnetise, magnetize
make magnetic

degauss, demagnetise, demagnetize
make nonmagnetic; take away the magnetic properties (of)

simplify
make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent

complicate, elaborate, rarify, refine
make more complex, intricate, or richer

refine
make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of

complicate, perplex
make more complicated

pressurise, pressurize, supercharge
increase the pressure on a gas or liquid

centralise, centralize, concentrate
make central

decentralise, decentralize, deconcentrate
make less central

socialise, socialize
make conform to socialist ideas and philosophies

fix, gear up, prepare, ready, set, set up
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

internationalise, internationalize
make international in character

bolshevise, bolshevize, communise, communize
make Communist or bring in accord with Communist principles

Europeanise, Europeanize
make (continental) European in customs, character, or ideas

Europeanise, Europeanize
denationalize and subject (a territory) to the supervision of an agency of a European community of nations

bestialise, bestialize
make brutal and depraved; give animal-like qualities to

Americanise, Americanize
make American in character

Frenchify
make French in appearance or character

civilise, civilize
raise from a barbaric to a civilized state

nationalise, nationalize
put under state control or ownership

denationalise, denationalize
put under private control or ownership

naturalise, naturalize
make into a citizen

denaturalise, denaturalize
strip of the rights and duties of citizenship

naturalise, naturalize
make more natural or lifelike

denaturalise, denaturalize
make less natural or unnatural

even, even out
become even or more even

equal, equalise, equalize, equate, match
make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching

stiffen
make stiff or stiffer

loose, loosen
make loose or looser

fasten, tighten
make tight or tighter

transitivise, transitivize
make transitive

detransitivise, detransitivize, intransitivise, intransitivize
intransitivize

inspissate, thicken
make thick or thicker

full
make (a garment) fuller by pleating or gathering

diversify
make (more) diverse

decelerate, slow down
reduce the speed of

deaden
make vapid or deprive of spirit

accelerate, speed, speed up
cause to move faster

check, delay, retard
slow the growth or development of

decrease, lessen, minify
make smaller

liquefy, liquidise, liquidize, liquify
make (a solid substance) liquid, as by heating

solvate
cause a solvation in (a substance)

dissolve
cause to fade away

validate
make valid or confirm the validity of

invalidate, vitiate, void
take away the legal force of or render ineffective

empty
make void or empty of contents

fill, fill up, make full
make full, also in a metaphorical sense

saturate
cause (a chemical compound, vapour, solution, magnetic material) to unite with the greatest possible amount of another substance

clot, coagulate
cause to change from a liquid to a solid or thickened state

louden
cause to become loud

normalise, normalize, renormalise, renormalize
make normal or cause to conform to a norm or standard

morph
cause to change shape in a computer animation

neutralise, neutralize
make chemically neutral

commercialise, commercialize, market
make commercial

purge, purify, sanctify
make pure or free from sin or guilt

mechanise, mechanize
make mechanical

automate, automatise, automatize
make automatic or control or operate automatically

automatise, automatize
turn into an automaton

mechanise, mechanize
make monotonous; make automatic or routine

chord, harmonise, harmonize
bring into consonance, harmony, or accord while making music or singing

polarise, polarize
cause to vibrate in a definite pattern

glorify
bestow glory upon

contaminate
make radioactive by adding radioactive material

devalue
lower the value or quality of

insulate
protect from heat, cold, or noise by surrounding with insulating material

calcify
convert into lime

urbanise, urbanize
make more industrial or city-like

urbanise, urbanize
impart urban habits, ways of life, or responsibilities upon

emulsify
cause to become an emulsion; make into an emulsion

demulsify
cause to demulsify

decarboxylate
remove a carboxyl group from (a chemical compound)

nazify
cause or force to adopt Nazism or a Nazi character

fecundate, fertilise, fertilize
make fertile or productive

clarify
make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating

embrittle
make brittle

mark
make or leave a mark on

nick
divide or reset the tail muscles of

disable, disenable, incapacitate
make unable to perform a certain action

enable
render capable or able for some task

de-emphasise, de-emphasize, destress
reduce the emphasis

tender, tenderise, tenderize
make tender or more tender as by marinating, pounding, or applying a tenderizer

charge
cause formation of a net electrical charge in or on

bubble
cause to form bubbles

sweeten
make sweeter, more pleasant, or more agreeable

iodinate
cause to combine with iodine

ionate
add ions to

archaise, archaize
give an archaic appearance of character to

inform
give character or essence to

officialise, officialize
make official

occidentalise, occidentalize, westernise, westernize
make western in character

orientalise, orientalize
make oriental in character

acetylate, acetylise, acetylize
introduce an acetyl group into (a chemical compound)

achromatise, achromatize
remove color from

collimate, parallel
make or place parallel to something

camp
give an artificially banal or sexual quality to

classicise, classicize
make classic or classical

conventionalise, conventionalize
make conventional or adapt to conventions

decimalise, decimalize
change from fractions to decimals

dizzy
make dizzy or giddy

envenom, poison
add poison to

exteriorise, exteriorize, externalise, externalize, objectify
make external or objective, or give reality to

glamorise, glamorize, glamourise, glamourize
make glamorous and attractive

introvert
turn inside

laicise, laicize
reduce to lay status

politicise, politicize
give a political character to

radicalize
make more radical in social or political outlook

proof
activate by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk

romanticise, romanticize
make romantic in style

rusticate
lend a rustic character to

sauce
add zest or flavor to, make more interesting

shallow, shoal
make shallow

tense
increase the tension on

steepen
make steeper

scramble
make unintelligible

unscramble
make intelligible

unsex
remove the qualities typical of one's sex

vitrify
change into glass or a glass-like substance by applying heat

pall
cause to become flat

saponify
convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali

expand, extend
expand the influence of

set aside, suspend
make inoperative or stop

muddy
make turbid

transform
subject to a mathematical transformation

elevate, lift, raise
raise in rank or condition

harshen
make harsh or harsher

dinge
make dingy

demonise, demonize
make into a demon

devilise, devilize, diabolise, diabolize
turn into a devil or make devilish

etherealize, etherialise
make ethereal

immaterialise, immaterialize, unsubstantialise, unsubstantialize
render immaterial or incorporeal

animate, animise, animize
give lifelike qualities to

clear
make clear, bright, light, or translucent

dynamise, dynamize
make (a drug) effective

dynamise, dynamize
make more dynamic

rarefy, sublimate, subtilize
make more subtle or refined

volatilise, volatilize
make volatile; cause to pass off in a vapor

uniformise, uniformize
make uniform

symmetrise, symmetrize
make symmetric

eternalise, eternalize, eternise, eternize, immortalise, immortalize
make famous forever

denature
make (alcohol) unfit for drinking without impairing usefulness for other purposes

denature
modify (as a native protein) especially by heat, acid, alkali, or ultraviolet radiation so that all of the original properties are removed or diminished

denature
add nonfissionable material to (fissionable material) so as to make unsuitable for use in an atomic bomb

sanitise, sanitize
make less offensive or more acceptable by removing objectionable features

verbify
make into a verb

shift
move from one setting or context to another

sputter
cause to undergo a process in which atoms are removed

draw
bring or lead someone to a certain action or condition

make
change from one form into another

dope
add impurities to (a semiconductor) in order to produce or modify its properties

prostrate
render helpless or defenseless

excite
produce a magnetic field in

energise, energize, excite
raise to a higher energy level

shake
bring to a specified condition by or as if by shaking

outmode
make unfashionable, outdated, or obsolete

spice, spice up
make more interesting or flavorful

shorten
make short or shorter

think
bring into a given condition by mental preoccupation

make
cause to be enjoyable or pleasurable

deflate
produce deflation in

inflate
cause prices to rise by increasing the available currency or credit

reflate
economics: raise demand, expand the money supply, or raise prices, after a period of deflation

digitalise, digitalize, digitise, digitize
put into digital form, as for use in a computer

gelatinise, gelatinize
convert into gelatinous form or jelly

recombine
cause genetic recombination

effeminise, effeminize, feminise, feminize, womanize
to give a (more) feminine, effeminate, or womanly quality or appearance to

masculinise, masculinize, virilise, virilize
produce virilism in or cause to assume masculine characteristics, as through a hormonal imbalance or hormone therapy

masculinize
give a masculine appearance or character to

disharmonize, dissonate
cause to sound harsh and unpleasant

sexualise, sexualize
make sexual, endow with sex, attribute sex to

schematise, schematize
give conventional form to

patent
make open to sight or notice

constitutionalise, constitutionalize
incorporate into a constitution, make constitutional

rationalise, rationalize
remove irrational quantities from

plasticise, plasticize
make plastic, as by the addition of a plasticizer

rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of

paganise, paganize
make pagan in character

incandesce
cause to become incandescent or glow

deaminate, deaminize
remove the amino radical (usually by hydrolysis) from an amino compound; to perform deamination

angulate
make or become angular

circularise, circularize
make circular

sensitise, sensitize
make (a material) sensitive to light, often of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion

sensitise, sensitize
make sensitive to a drug or allergen

depolarise, depolarize
eliminate the polarization of

intensify
make the chemically affected part of (a negative) denser or more opaque in order produce a stronger contrast between light and dark

isomerise, isomerize
cause to change into an isomer

legitimate
make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)

evaporate, vaporise
cause to change into a vapor

industrialise, industrialize
organize (the production of something) into an industry

opacify
make opaque

opsonize
make (cells) more susceptible to the action of phagocytes

militarise, militarize
adopt for military use

nationalise, nationalize
make national in character or scope

recommend
make attractive or acceptable

sentimentalise, sentimentalize
make (someone or something) sentimental or imbue with sentimental qualities

solemnise, solemnize
make solemn and grave

territorialise, territorialize
place on a territorial basis

transaminate
change (an amino group) by transferring it from one compound to another

glorify, spiritualize, transfigure
elevate or idealize, in allusion to Christ's transfiguration

unsanctify
remove the sanctification from or make unsanctified

vesiculate
cause to become vesicular or full of air cells

visualise, visualize
make visible

variegate
change the appearance of, especially by marking with different colors

ventilate
furnish with an opening to allow air to circulate or gas to escape

vivify
make more striking or animated

vulgarise, vulgarize
debase and make vulgar

supple
make pliant and flexible

professionalise, professionalize
make professional or give a professional character to

smut
make obscene

still
make motionless

weaponize
make into or use as a weapon or a potential weapon

eroticize, sex up
give erotic character to or make more interesting

piggyback
bring into alignment with

port
modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform

lifehack
make one's day-to-day activities more efficient

cloud
make less clear

blur, confuse, obnubilate, obscure
make unclear, indistinct, or blurred

moderate, tame, tone down
make less strong or intense; soften

obfuscate
make obscure or unclear

synchronise, synchronize
make (motion picture sound) exactly simultaneous with the action

mince, moderate, soften
make less severe or harsh

militarise, militarize
lend a military character to (a country), as by building up a military force

break down, crush
make ineffective

fat, fatten, fatten out, fatten up, fill out, flesh out, plump, plump out
make fat or plump

disturb, touch
tamper with

dull
make dull in appearance

blunt, dull
make dull or blunt

sharpen
make sharp or sharper

coarsen
make or become coarse or coarser

loosen
make less dense

loosen, undo, untie
cause to become loose

barb
provide with barbs

string
provide with strings

straighten, straighten out
make straight

bring
cause to come into a particular state or condition

amalgamate, commix, mingle, mix, unify
bring or combine together or with something else

charge
fill or load to capacity

put
cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation

clean, make clean
make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from

begrime, bemire, colly, dirty, grime, soil
make soiled, filthy, or dirty

depress, lower
cause to drop or sink

deform
make formless

break, break up
destroy the completeness of a set of related items

adorn, beautify, decorate, embellish, grace, ornament
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.

humanise, humanize
make more humane

humble
cause to be unpretentious

alien, alienate, disaffect, estrange
arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness

right
put in or restore to an upright position

desensitise, desensitize
cause not to be sensitive

deodorise, deodorize, deodourise
eliminate the odor from

develop
make visible by means of chemical solutions

blur
make less distinct or clear

blind
make blind by putting the eyes out

change intensity
increase or decrease in intensity

change taste
alter the flavor of

exchange, interchange, replace, substitute
put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items

capture
bring about the capture of an elementary particle or celestial body and causing it enter a new orbit

add, bestow, bring, contribute, impart, lend
bestow a quality on

reestablish, reinstate, restore
bring back into original existence, use, function, or position

liberalise, liberalize
make liberal or more liberal, of laws and rules

compensate, correct, redress, right
make reparations or amends for

democratise, democratize
introduce democratic reforms; of nations

neutralize
make politically neutral and thus inoffensive

corrupt, debase, debauch, demoralise, demoralize, deprave, misdirect, pervert, profane, subvert, vitiate
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

loosen, relax
make less severe or strict

unify, unite
bring together for a common purpose or action or ideology or in a shared situation

flocculate
cause to become a fluffy or lumpy aggregate

turn
cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics

cohere
cause to form a united, orderly, and aesthetically consistent whole

warp
cause to become abnormal, unhealthy, or improper

reawaken
awaken once again

attack
begin to injure

ulcerate
affect with an ulcer

bring around, bring back, bring round, bring to
return to consciousness

calm, sedate, tranquilize, tranquillise, tranquillize
cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to

arouse, brace, energise, energize, perk up, stimulate
cause to be alert and energetic

de-energise, de-energize
deprive of energy

strain, tense, tense up
cause to be tense and uneasy or nervous or anxious

loosen up, make relaxed, relax, unlax, unstrain, unwind
cause to feel relaxed

break
weaken or destroy in spirit or body

cramp
affect with or as if with a cramp

stratify
render fertile and preserve by placing between layers of earth or sand

bang up, impregnate
make pregnant

impregnate
fertilize and cause to grow

cross-fertilise, cross-fertilize
cause to undergo cross-fertilization

cross-pollinate, pollenate, pollinate
fertilize by transfering pollen

irritate
excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame

inflame
cause inflammation in

alleviate, assuage, palliate, relieve
provide physical relief, as from pain

hurt
give trouble or pain to

bind, constipate
cause to be constipated

fag, fag out, fatigue, jade, outwear, tire, tire out, wear, wear down, wear out, wear upon, weary
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

aid, help
improve the condition of

disinfect
destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing

regenerate, revitalize
restore strength

jaundice
affect with, or as if with, jaundice

call
rouse somebody from sleep with a call

caramelise, caramelize
convert to caramel

rasterize
convert (an image) into pixels

humify
convert (plant remains) into humus

verbalise, verbalize
convert into a verb

sporulate
convert into spores

fictionalise, fictionalize, novelise, novelize
convert into the form or the style of a novel

deaden
convert (metallic mercury) into a grey powder consisting of minute globules, as by shaking with chalk or fatty oil

opalise, opalize
replace or convert into opal

receive
convert into sounds or pictures

reconvert
convert back

malt
convert into malt

malt
convert grain into malt

render
cause to become

get, have, let
cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition

carnalise, carnalize, sensualise, sensualize
debase through carnal gratification

strike a blow
affect adversely

repercuss
cause repercussions; have an unwanted effect

tell on
produce an effect or strain on somebody

redound
have an effect for good or ill

individuate
give individual shape or form to

tie
form a knot or bow in

terrace
make into terraces as for cultivation

fork
shape like a fork

tabulate
shape or cut with a flat surface

dimension
shape or form to required dimensions

roll
shape by rolling

draw
flatten, stretch, or mold metal or glass, by rolling or by pulling it through a die or by stretching

strike
cause to form (an electric arc) between electrodes of an arc lamp

crystalise, crystalize, crystallise, crystallize
cause to take on a definite and clear shape

twist
form into twists

sliver
form into slivers

ridge
form into a ridge

plume
form a plume

round, round off, round out
make round

scallop, scollop
shape or cut in scallops

square, square up
make square

resuspend
put back into suspension

proportion
adjust in size relative to other things

suppress
reduce the incidence or severity of or stop

extend, stretch
increase in quantity or bulk by adding a cheaper substance

augment
enlarge or increase

build up
enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages

enlarge
make larger

up
raise

raise
raise the level or amount of something

transduce
cause transduction (of energy forms)

vitalise, vitalize
make more lively or vigorous

ruggedise, ruggedize
produce in a version designed to withstand rough usage

devitalise, devitalize
sap of life or energy

shake
undermine or cause to waver

modulate
adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of

enrich
make better or improve in quality

build up, develop
change the use of and make available or usable

bail
empty (a vessel) by bailing

clutter, clutter up
fill a space in a disorderly way

clog, overload
fill to excess so that function is impaired

brim
fill as much as possible

reactivate
activate (an old file) anew

obtund
reduce the edge or violence of

petrify
cause to become stonelike or stiff or dazed and stunned

burn
burn with heat, fire, or radiation

frost
damage by frost

moderate
make less fast or intense

mitigate
make less severe or harsh

falsify, interpolate
insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby

cut up, hack
significantly cut up a manuscript

black out
suppress by censorship as for political reasons

blank out
cut out, as for political reasons

break, break in
make submissive, obedient, or useful

turn around
improve dramatically

help
improve; change for the better

upgrade
improve what was old or outdated

condition
put into a better state

cheapen, degrade
lower the grade of something; reduce its worth

emend
make improvements or corrections to

iron out, put right, straighten out
settle or put right

dehydrate, desiccate, dry up, exsiccate
lose water or moisture

dehydrate, desiccate
remove water from

bedew
cover with drops of dew or as with dew

spin-dry
dry (clothes) by spinning and making use of centrifugal forces

tumble dry
dry by spinning with hot air inside a cylinder

spray-dry
dry by bringing into the form of a spray, through contact with a hot gas

dehumidify
make less humid

douse, dowse, drench, soak, sop, souse
cover with liquid; pour liquid onto

dampen, moisten, wash
make moist

parch, sear
cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat

rough-dry
dry without smoothing or ironing

blow-dry
dry hair with a hair dryer

drip-dry
dry by hanging up wet

substantiate
solidify, firm, or strengthen

restrengthen
make strong again

brace up, undergird
make secure underneath

confirm
make more firm

reenforce, reinforce
make stronger

buttress
make stronger or defensible

depress
lessen the activity or force of

unbrace
remove a brace or braces from

etiolate
make weak by stunting the growth or development of

cripple, stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless

cut, dilute, reduce, thin, thin out
lessen the strength or flavor of a solution or mixture

attenuate, rarefy
weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)

blunt
make less intense

irrigate, water
supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams

besprinkle, sparge, sprinkle
scatter with liquid; wet lightly

enhance
make better or more attractive

pare, pare down
decrease gradually or bit by bit

circumscribe, confine, limit
restrict or confine

boil down, concentrate, reduce
cook until very little liquid is left

catabolise, catabolize
subject to catabolism

breathe
reach full flavor by absorbing air and being let to stand after having been uncorked

blow up, enlarge, magnify
make large

reduce, shrink
reduce in size; reduce physically

reduce
make less complex

consolidate
bring together into a single whole or system

weld
unite closely or intimately

consubstantiate
unite in one common substance

abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce, shorten
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

abate, slack, slake
make less active or intense

grow
cause to grow or develop

manifold, multiply
combine or increase by multiplication

work out, work up
come up with

elaborate, work out
work out in detail

build, build up, ramp up, work up
bolster or strengthen

mellow
soften, make mellow

mollify
make less rigid or softer

bilge
cause to leak

break
render inoperable or ineffective

total
damage beyond the point of repair

bruise
damage (plant tissue) by abrasion or pressure

disturb
damage as if by shaking or jarring

afflict, smite
cause physical pain or suffering in

blight, hurt, injure
cause damage or affect negatively

bushel, doctor, fix, furbish up, mend, repair, restore, touch on
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

impair
make worse or less effective

blemish, flaw
add a flaw or blemish to; make imperfect or defective

dish
make concave; shape like a dish

amplify, blow up, expand, inflate
exaggerate or make bigger

reform
make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices

reform
improve by alteration or correction of errors or defects and put into a better condition

lour, lower, turn down
make lower or quieter

paralyse, paralyze
make powerless and unable to function

peg
stabilize (the price of a commodity or an exchange rate) by legislation or market operations

harden, indurate, inure
cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate

teach
accustom gradually to some action or attitude

corrode, eat, rust
cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid

eat away, erode, fret
remove soil or rock

mess, mess up
make a mess of or create disorder in

derange, perturb, throw out of kilter
throw into great confusion or disorder

disarrange
disturb the arrangement of

bleach, bleach out, decolor, decolorise, decolorize, decolour, decolourise, decolourize, discolorise, discolorize, discolourise
remove color from

blackwash
color with blackwash

sallow
cause to become sallow

wash out
drain off the color in the course of laundering

foliate
grow leaves

motley, parti-color
make motley; color with different colors

polychrome, polychromise, polychromize
color with many colors; make polychrome

azure
color azure

empurple, purple, purpurate
color purple

aurify
turn golden

verdigris
color verdigris

pinkify
make pink

incarnadine
make flesh-colored

brown, embrown
make brown in color

handcolor, handcolour
color by hand

smut
stain with a dirty substance, such as soot

tinct, tinge, tint, touch
color lightly

pigment
color or dye with a pigment

pigment
acquire pigment; become colored or imbued

hue, imbue
suffuse with color

retouch
give retouches to (hair)

silver
make silver in color

gray, grey
make grey

tone
change to a color image

escalate, intensify, step up
increase in extent or intensity

de-escalate, step down, weaken
reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of

cut up, mangle, mutilate
destroy or injure severely

beautify, embellish, fancify, prettify
make more beautiful

mollify, season, temper
make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate

temper
adjust the pitch (of pianos)

tune, tune up
adjust the pitches of (musical instruments)

calibrate, fine-tune, graduate
make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring

tune, tune up
adjust for (better) functioning

time
adjust so that a force is applied and an action occurs at the desired time

trim
adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used

zero, zero in
adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)

zero
adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value

readjust, reset
adjust again after an initial failure

attune
adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with

time
regulate or set the time of

pitch
set to a certain pitch

set
set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly

keynote
set the keynote of

modulate, regulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of

fit
make fit

white out
widen the interlinear spacing by inserting leads

oxygenise, oxygenize
dehydrogenate with oxygen

boost
give a boost to; be beneficial to

infuscate
darken with a brownish tinge, as of insect wings

embrown
cause to darken

murk
make dark, dim, or gloomy

dun
make a dun color

blind, dim
make dim by comparison or conceal

dim
make dim or lusterless

bedim, benight
make darker and difficult to perceive by sight

focalise, focalize, focus, sharpen
put (an image) into focus

depreciate
lower the value of something

elongate, lengthen
make longer

farce, stuff
fill with a stuffing while cooking

feudalize
bring (a country or people) under feudalism

stuff
fill tightly with a material

bolster, pad
add padding to

crisp, crispen, toast
make brown and crisp by heating

shatter
damage or destroy

check, chink
make cracks or chinks in

fissure
break into fissures or fine cracks

close out
terminate

finish
cause to finish a relationship with somebody

abort
terminate before completion

culminate
bring to a head or to the highest point

lift, raise
put an end to

ax, axe
terminate

kill, stamp out
end or extinguish by forceful means

break up, dissolve
come to an end

break up, dissolve
bring the association of to an end or cause to break up

break, break off, discontinue, stop
prevent completion

break, interrupt
terminate

pervaporate
cause (a liquid) to evaporate through a semipermeable membrane

quench
cool (hot metal) by plunging into cold water or other liquid

ice
put ice on or put on ice

refrigerate
cool or chill in or as if in a refrigerator

scald
heat to the boiling point

soak
heat a metal prior to working it

calcine
heat a substance so that it oxidizes or reduces

preheat
heat beforehand

overheat
make excessively or undesirably hot

chafe
warm by rubbing, as with the hands

decoct
extract the essence of something by boiling it

deep freeze
store in a deep-freeze, as for conservation

ice
cause to become ice or icy

flash-freeze, quick-freeze
freeze rapidly so as to preserve the natural juices and flavors

scorch, sear
make very hot and dry

metricate, metricise, metricize, metrify
convert from a non-metric to the metric system

flour
convert grain into flour

transubstantiate
change (the Eucharist bread and wine) into the body and blood of Christ

sorcerise, sorcerize
transform or change by means of sorcery

metricise, metricize
express in the metric system

reclaim
make useful again; transform from a useless or uncultivated state

moralise, moralize
improve the morals of

regenerate
amplify (an electron current) by causing part of the power in the output circuit to act upon the input circuit

Islamise, Islamize
convert to Islam

Christianise, Christianize
convert to Christianity

evangelise, evangelize
convert to Christianity

catholicise, catholicize, latinise, latinize
cause to adopt Catholicism

debilitate, drain, enfeeble
make weak

enervate
weaken physically, mentally, or morally

break, damp, dampen, dilute, soften, weaken
lessen in force or effect

dampen
check; keep in check (a fire)

dampen
reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves)

strap
sharpen with a strap

sync, synchronise, synchronize
make synchronous and adjust in time or manner

macerate
soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result

oversimplify
make too simple

complexify
make complex

involve
make complex or intricate or complicated

develop
elaborate by the unfolding of a musical idea and by the working out of the rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme

sophisticate
make more complex or refined

embrangle, snarl, snarl up
make more complicated or confused through entanglements

pressurise, pressurize
increase the pressure in or of

decompress, depressurise, depressurize
decrease the pressure of

socialise, socialize
prepare for social life

provide
take measures in preparation for

cram
prepare (students) hastily for an impending exam

precondition
put into the required condition beforehand

fix
kill, preserve, and harden (tissue) in order to prepare for microscopic study

mount
fix onto a backing, setting, or support

lay out, set, set up
get ready for a particular purpose or event

winterise, winterize
prepare for winter

summerise, summerize
prepare for summer

prime
insert a primer into (a gun, mine, or charge) preparatory to detonation or firing

communise, communize
make into property owned by the state

privatise, privatize
change from governmental to private control or ownership

homologise, homologize
make homologous

starch
stiffen with starch

buckram
stiffen with or as with buckram

ossify, petrify, rigidify
make rigid and set into a conventional pattern

relax, unbend
make less taut

frap
take up the slack of

firm, tauten
make taut or tauter

remit, slacken
make slack as by lessening tension or firmness

minimise, minimize
make small or insignificant

maximise, maximize
make as big or large as possible

bring down, cut, cut back, cut down, reduce, trim, trim back, trim down
cut down on; make a reduction in

cut
have a reducing effect

heighten
make more extreme; raise in quantity, degree, or intensity

heighten, rise
become more extreme

motley, variegate, vary
make something more diverse and varied

retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate

fishtail
slow down by moving the tail sideways

rev, rev up
increase the number of rotations per minute

rev up, step up
speed up

relax, slack, slack up, slacken
make less active or fast

belittle, diminish
lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of

build
improve the cleansing action of

etch
selectively dissolve the surface of (a semiconductor or printed circuit) with a solvent, laser, or stream of electrons

clean out, clear out
empty completely

bleed
drain of liquid or steam

evacuate
empty completely

evacuate
create a vacuum in (a bulb, flask, reaction vessel)

eviscerate
remove the contents of

void
clear (a room, house, place) of occupants or empty or clear (a place or receptacle) of something

clear
remove the occupants of

clear
rid of instructions or data

exhaust
use up the whole supply of

knock out
empty (as of tobacco) by knocking out

populate
fill with inhabitants

drain
empty of liquid; drain the liquid from

top off
fill to the point of almost overflowing

heap
fill to overflow

overfill
fill beyond capacity

ink
fill with ink

fill again, refill, replenish
fill something that had previously been emptied

prime
fill with priming liquid

line
fill plentifully

complete
bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements

fit, match
make correspond or harmonize

homogenise, homogenize
cause to become equal or homogeneous as by mixing

ferment, work
cause to undergo fermentation

delay, detain, stay
stop or halt

flatten
make flat or flatter

plumb
adjust with a plumb line so as to make vertical

align, coordinate, ordinate
bring (components or parts) into proper or desirable coordination correlation

negate, neutralise, neutralize, nullify
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of

hone, perfect
refine or make more perfect or effective

down, fine-tune, polish, refine
improve or perfect by pruning or polishing

distill, make pure, purify, sublimate
remove impurities from, increase the concentration of, and separate through the process of distillation

spiritualise, spiritualize
purify from the corrupting influences of the world

lustrate
purify by means of a ritual; also used in post-Communist countries to refer to the political cleansing of former officials

deform, distort, strain
alter the shape of (something) by stress

blow
shape by blowing

block
shape into a block or blocks

block
shape by using a block

cup
form into the shape of a cup

deflower, impair, mar, spoil, vitiate
make imperfect

crush out, extinguish, press out, stub out
extinguish by crushing

dehumanise, dehumanize
make mechanical or routine

semi-automatise, semi-automatize
make semiautomatic

finalise, finalize, nail down, settle
make final; put the last touches on; put into final form

harmonise, harmonize, reconcile
bring into consonance or accord

key
regulate the musical pitch of

complete, finish
come or bring to a finish or an end

air
expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry

linearise, linearize
make linear or get into a linear form

justify
adjust the spaces between words

foul
make unclean

contaminate, foul, pollute
make impure

alloy, debase
lower in value by increasing the base-metal content

weatherstrip
provide with weatherstripping

soundproof
insulate against noise

advance, boost, supercharge
increase or raise

impregnate, saturate
infuse or fill completely

impregnate, infuse, instill, tincture
fill, as with a certain quality

citify
accustom to urban ways

excite, stimulate
act as a stimulant

federalise, federalize
put under the control and authority of a federal government

nitrify
convert into nitric acid, nitrous acid, or nitrate, especially with the action of nitrobacteria

devitrify
make (glassy materials) brittle or opaque

electrify
charge (a conductor) with electricity

fructify
make productive or fruitful

fossilise, fossilize
convert to a fossil

dot
mark with a dot

stigmatise, stigmatize
mark with a stigma or stigmata

raddle
mark or paint with raddle

striate
mark with striae or striations

ink
mark, coat, cover, or stain with ink

dimple
mark with, or as if with, dimples

spot
mark with a spot or spots so as to allow easy recognition

crisscross
mark with a pattern of crossing lines

asterisk, star
mark with an asterisk

flag
provide with a flag

tip
mark with a tip

tan
treat skins and hides with tannic acid so as to convert them into leather

dress
convert into leather

lay up
disable or confine, as with an illness

nobble
disable by drugging

pinion
cut the wings off (of birds)

equip
provide with abilities or understanding

process, treat
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition

mystify
make mysterious

upset
disturb the balance or stability of

diagonalise, diagonalize
transform a matrix to a diagonal matrix

closure, cloture
terminate debate by calling for a vote

compost
convert to compost

decimalise, decimalize
change to the decimal system

lour, lower
set lower

redden
make red

slack
release tension on

broaden, extend, widen
extend in scope or range or area

castrate, emasculate
deprive of strength or vigor

wash out
deplete of strength or vitality

bake, broil
heat by a natural force

reheat
heat again

dignify
raise the status of

exalt
raise in rank, character, or status

shift
move and exchange for another

lift, raise
invigorate or heighten

transition
cause to convert or undergo a transition

transfer, transplant, transpose
transfer from one place or period to another

transcribe
convert the genetic information in (a strand of DNA) into a strand of RNA, especially messenger RNA

advance
develop further

salt
add zest or liveliness to

back
shift to a counterclockwise direction

veer
shift to a clockwise direction

cut
shorten as if by severing the edges or ends of

reflate
economics: raise demand, expand the money supply, or raise prices, after a period of deflation

hydrolise, hydrolize
make a compound react with water and undergo hydrolysis

float
convert from a fixed point notation to a floating point notation

stalinise, stalinize
transform in accordance with Stalin's policies

destalinise, destalinize
counteract the effects and policies of Stalinism

scrap
make into scrap or refuse

keratinise, keratinize
convert into keratin

upgrade
give better travel conditions to

diazotize
convert (an amine) into a diazo compound

hay
convert (plant material) into hay

lignify
convert into wood or cause to become woody

mineralize
transform (a metal) into an ore

mineralize
convert into a mineral substance

ozonise, ozonize
convert (oxygen) into ozone

slag
convert into slag

sulfate
convert into a sulfate

cutinize
convert into cutin

duplex
change into a duplex

reduce
destress and thus weaken a sound when pronouncing it

muddy
cause to become muddy

copyedit, copyread, subedit
edit and correct (written or printed material)

adjudicate, decide, dispose, resolve, settle
bring to an end; settle conclusively

conclude
bring to a close

register
enter into someone's consciousness

close
complete a business deal, negotiation, or an agreement

proselytise, proselytize
convert to another faith or religion

bracket, bracket out
place into brackets

color, colour, distort, tinge
affect as in thought or feeling

dub
provide (movies) with a soundtrack of a foreign language

encode
convert information into code

underline, underscore
draw a line or lines underneath to call attention to

endanger, expose, peril, queer, scupper
put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position

mobilise, mobilize
get ready for war

remilitarise, remilitarize
militarize anew

draw, tie
finish a game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.

addict, hook
to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug)

inebriate, intoxicate, soak
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)

violate
destroy

hit, strike
affect or afflict suddenly, usually adversely

brace, stabilise, stabilize, steady
support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace

untwist
cause to become untwisted

brush
clean with a brush

dust
remove the dust from

hoover, vacuum, vacuum-clean
clean with a vacuum cleaner

hygienise, hygienize, sanitise, sanitize
make sanitary by cleaning or sterilizing

bream
clean (a ship's bottom) with heat

steam, steam clean
clean by means of steaming

edge
provide with an edge

strop
sharpen on a strop

whet
sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone

hone
sharpen with a hone

smear
stain by smearing or daubing with a dirty substance

slime
cover or stain with slime

muddy, muddy up
dirty with mud

stripe
mark with stripes

speck
produce specks in or on

bespot
mark with, or as if with, spots

scarify
break up

unbend
free from flexure

core out, hollow, hollow out
remove the interior of

confine, hold, restrain
to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement

batten
secure with battens

batten, batten down, secure
furnish with battens

squirt
wet with a spurt of liquid

unscrew
loosen something by unscrewing it

unscrew
loosen by turning

screw
tighten or fasten by means of screwing motions

extend
open or straighten out; unbend

channelise, channelize
cause to form a channel

aggregate, combine
gather in a mass, sum, or whole

fluff, ruffle
erect or fluff up

plume, preen
clean with one's bill

sweep
clean by sweeping

concoct
make a concoction (of) by mixing

combine, compound
combine so as to form a whole; mix

blend, immingle, intermingle, intermix
combine into one

jumble, scramble, throw together
bring into random order

lube, lubricate
apply a lubricant to

burden, burthen, weight, weight down
weight down with a load

surcharge
fill to an excessive degree

freight
load with goods for transportation

lade, laden, load, load up
fill or place a load on

charge, load
provide (a device) with something necessary

put to sleep
help someone go to bed

wreathe
decorate or deck with wreaths

beset, encrust, incrust
decorate or cover lavishly (as with gems)

untwine
undo what has been twined together

unweave
undo strands that have been woven together

braid
decorate with braids or ribbons

wind, wind up
coil the spring of (some mechanical device) by turning a stem

circle, encircle
form a circle around

deluge, flood, inundate, swamp
fill quickly beyond capacity; as with a liquid

do the dishes, wash up
wash dishes

pipe-clay
whiten or clean with pipe-clay

scavenge
clean refuse from

splash
soil or stain with a splashed liquid

mire, muck, muck up, mud
soil with mud, muck, or mire

crock
soil with or as with crock

dry clean
clean with chemical agents

launder, wash
cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water

blemish, spot
mar or impair with a flaw

wear away, whittle away, whittle down
cut away in small pieces

bang up, smash, smash up
damage or destroy as if by violence

delineate, describe, draw, line, trace
make a mark or lines on a surface

turn
shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel

gut
empty completely; destroy the inside of

post, stake
mark with a stake

comb
straighten with a comb

bond, bring together, draw together
bring together in a common cause or emotion

phase out
terminate gradually

disincarnate
make immaterial; remove the real essence of

broider, embroider
decorate with needlework

stick
cover and decorate with objects that pierce the surface

illustrate
supply with illustrations

process, work, work on
shape, form, or improve a material

garland
adorn with bands of flowers or leaves

fledge, flight
decorate with feathers

bespangle, spangle
decorate with spangles

foliate
decorate with leaves

flag
decorate with flags

bard, barde, caparison, dress up
put a caparison on

bead
decorate by sewing beads onto

pipe
trim with piping

applique
sew on as a decoration

gild the lily, paint the lily
adorn unnecessarily (something that is already beautiful)

vermiculate
decorate with wavy or winding lines

smock
embellish by sewing in straight lines crossing each other diagonally

hang
decorate or furnish with something suspended

prank
dress or decorate showily or gaudily

tinsel
adorn with tinsel

tart up
decorate in a cheap and flashy way

stucco
decorate with stucco work

redecorate
redo the decoration of an apartment or house

panel
decorate with panels

bejewel, jewel
adorn or decorate with precious stones

filet, fillet
decorate with a lace of geometric designs

scallop
decorate an edge with scallops

bedizen
decorate tastelessly

dress ship
decorate a ship with flags

dress, garnish, trim
decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods

trim
decorate, as with ornaments

bedeck, bedight, deck
decorate

festoon
decorate with strings of flowers

enamel
coat, inlay, or surface with enamel

inlay
decorate the surface of by inserting wood, stone, and metal

lacquer
coat with lacquer

begild, engild, gild
decorate with, or as if with, gold leaf or liquid gold

illuminate
add embellishments and paintings to (medieval manuscripts)

blazon, emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms

blotch, mottle, streak
mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained

color, colour, emblazon
decorate with colors

crop, cultivate, work
prepare for crops

fringe
adorn with a fringe

fret
decorate with an interlaced design

landscape
embellish with plants

efface
make inconspicuous

brace, poise
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

drift apart, drift away
lose personal contact over time

wean
detach the affections of

pack
fill to capacity

subject
cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to

solarise, solarize
reverse some of the tones of (a negative or print) and introduce pronounced outlines of highlights, by exposing it briefly to light, then washing and redeveloping it

benumb, blunt, dull, numb
make numb or insensitive

bedaze, daze, stun
overcome as with astonishment or disbelief

besot, stupefy
make someone dazed or foolish

underdevelop
process (a film or photographic plate) less than the required time or in an ineffective solution or at an insufficiently high temperature

redevelop
develop for a second time, in order to improve the contrast, colour, etc., of a negative or print

dim, dip
switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam

abacinate
blind by holding a red-hot metal plate before someone's eyes

deaf, deafen
make or render deaf

hush, pipe down, quiesce, quiet, quiet down, quieten
become quiet or quieter

louden
become louder

soften
make (images or sounds) soft or softer

sharpen
make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper

dulcify, dulcorate, edulcorate, sweeten
make sweeter in taste

bitter
make bitter

acetify, acidify, acidulate, sour
make sour or more sour

kite
increase the amount (of a check) fraudulently

reduce, simplify
simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another

truncate
replace a corner by a plane

factor
be a contributing factor

instill, transfuse
impart gradually

tinsel
impart a cheap brightness to

retool
provide (a workshop or factory) with new tools

throw in
add as an extra or as a gratuity

subrogate
substitute one creditor for another, as in the case where an insurance company sues the person who caused an accident for the insured

educate
give an education to

close
finish or terminate (meetings, speeches, etc.)

decontrol
relax or remove controls of

empower, endow, endue, gift, imbue, indue, invest
give qualities or abilities to

bother, discommode, disoblige, incommode, inconvenience, put out, trouble
cause inconvenience or discomfort to

brand
burn with a branding iron to indicate ownership; of animals

over-correct, overcompensate
make excessive corrections for fear of making an error

aby, abye, atone, expiate
make amends for

co-opt
neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group

act upon, influence, work
have and exert influence or effect

redeem
restore the honor or worth of

check, condition, discipline, train
develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control

infect
corrupt with ideas or an ideology

lead astray, lead off
teach immoral behavior to

poison
spoil as if by poison

bastardise, bastardize
change something so that its value declines; for example, art forms

suborn
incite to commit a crime or an evil deed

slam-dunk
make a forceful move against

douse, dowse
wet thoroughly

leave
act or be so as to become in a specified state

shade, shade off, shadow
cast a shadow over

cloud, overcast
make overcast or cloudy

dilute
reduce the value of shareholder stocks by increasing the total number of shares

monetize
convert an economy or society from a barter system to one based on the exchange of money

disarm
defuse or make harmless; deactivate

monogram
mark, print, or embroider with one’s initials or other letters

coax
carefully manipulate, adjust, or bring to a desired state
verb
make an alteration to

“This dress needs to be altered”

see moresee less

type of:
change, modify
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
verb
insert words into text, often falsifying it thereby

synonyms: falsify, interpolate

see moresee less

type of:
edit, redact
prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting
verb
become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

synonyms: change, vary

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types:
show 30 types...

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alternate, jump
go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions

crackle
to become, or to cause to become, covered with a network of small cracks

modulate
vary the frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristic of (electromagnetic waves)

avianise, avianize
to modify microorganisms by repeated culture in the developing chick embryo

move
go or proceed from one point to another

accommodate, adapt
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose

let out, widen
make (clothes) larger

take in
make (clothes) smaller

branch out, broaden, diversify
vary in order to spread risk or to expand

diversify, radiate
spread into new habitats and produce variety or variegate

narrow, narrow down, specialise, specialize
become more focused on an area of activity or field of study

honeycomb
make full of cavities, like a honeycomb

break
vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity

step
move or proceed as if by steps into a new situation

scroll
move through text or graphics in order to display parts that do not fit on the screen

adjust
make correspondent or conformable

gear, pitch
set the level or character of

fit
insert or adjust several objects or people

anglicise, anglicize
make English in appearance

shoehorn
fit for a specific purpose even when not well suited

orient, tailor
adjust to a specific need or market

domesticate, tame
make fit for cultivation, domestic life, and service to humans

cultivate, domesticate, naturalise, naturalize, tame
adapt (a wild plant or unclaimed land) to the environment

Christianise, Christianize
adapt in the name of Christianity

naturalise, naturalize
adopt to another place

overspecialise, overspecialize
become overly specialized

electrify, wire
equip for use with electricity

transcribe
rewrite or arrange a piece of music for an instrument or medium other than that originally intended

lapse, pass, sink
pass into a specified state or condition

repurpose
adapt for a new use or format
verb
remove the ovaries of

synonyms: castrate, neuter, spay

see moresee less

types:
defeminise, defeminize
remove the ovaries of (female mammals such as cats)

type of:
desex, desexualise, desexualize, fix, sterilise, sterilize, unsex
make infertile

Pronunciation

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

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alter

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

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alter

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

/ˈɔltər/

/ˈɒltə/

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