modifier

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scientists from Mass General Brigham and the Broad Institute are exploring new therapeutic approaches and have identified a genetic modifier that could point toward a future treatment strategy.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025

It's what earns his narcissism the modifier "malignant."

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2025

He is concerned the severity modifier could make it harder to launch future cancer drugs.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2024

“Recycled is a positive modifier in most contexts but that isn’t necessarily the case when it comes to gold or silver,” she said.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2024

More generally, a modifier can dangle when its implied subject is the writer and the reader, as in To summarize and In order to start the motor in the examples above.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker