Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb modernise
2 senses of modernise
Sense 1
modernize, modernise, develop -- (become technologically advanced; "Many countries in Asia are now developing at a very fast pace"; "Viet Nam is modernizing rapidly")
=> change -- (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night")
Sense 2
overhaul, modernize, modernise -- (make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to; "You should overhaul your car engine"; "overhaul the health care system")
=> regenerate, renew -- (reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new; "We renewed our friendship after a hiatus of twenty years"; "They renewed their membership")