diff --git a/include/verilated_fst_sc.cpp b/include/verilated_fst_sc.cpp
index 2acb38781..f6bfeb41a 100644
--- a/include/verilated_fst_sc.cpp
+++ b/include/verilated_fst_sc.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 void VerilatedFstSc::open(const char* filename) {
     if (!sc_core::sc_get_curr_simcontext()->elaboration_done()) {
         vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "VerilatedFstSc",
-                 ("%Error: VerilatedFstSc::open(\"" + std::string(filename)
+                 ("%Error: VerilatedFstSc::open(\"" + std::string{filename}
                   + "\") is called before sc_core::sc_start(). "
                     "Run sc_core::sc_start(sc_core::SC_ZERO_TIME) before opening a wave file.")
                      .c_str());
diff --git a/include/verilated_vcd_sc.cpp b/include/verilated_vcd_sc.cpp
index 20f9a426a..a7286d050 100644
--- a/include/verilated_vcd_sc.cpp
+++ b/include/verilated_vcd_sc.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 void VerilatedVcdSc::open(const char* filename) {
     if (!sc_core::sc_get_curr_simcontext()->elaboration_done()) {
         vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "VerilatedVcdSc",
-                 ("%Error: VerilatedVcdSc::open(\"" + std::string(filename)
+                 ("%Error: VerilatedVcdSc::open(\"" + std::string{filename}
                   + "\") is called before sc_core::sc_start(). "
                     "Run sc_core::sc_start(sc_core::SC_ZERO_TIME) before opening a wave file.")
                      .c_str());
diff --git a/src/V3Ast.h b/src/V3Ast.h
index c3243b30d..b05c43318 100644
--- a/src/V3Ast.h
+++ b/src/V3Ast.h
@@ -1565,7 +1565,7 @@ public:
     static string dedotName(const string& namein);  // Name with dots removed
     static string prettyName(const string& namein);  // Name for printing out to the user
     static string prettyNameQ(const string& namein) {  // Quoted pretty name (for errors)
-        return string("'") + prettyName(namein) + "'";
+        return std::string{"'"} + prettyName(namein) + "'";
     }
     static string
     encodeName(const string& namein);  // Encode user name into internal C representation
diff --git a/src/V3AstNodes.cpp b/src/V3AstNodes.cpp
index cf226075d..f8a409247 100644
--- a/src/V3AstNodes.cpp
+++ b/src/V3AstNodes.cpp
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ string AstVar::cPubArgType(bool named, bool forReturn) const {
         }
     } else {
         // Newer internal-compatible types
-        arg += dtypep()->cType((named ? name() : string{}), true, isRef);
+        arg += dtypep()->cType((named ? name() : std::string{}), true, isRef);
     }
     return arg;
 }
diff --git a/src/V3Common.cpp b/src/V3Common.cpp
index 6f983809c..76521a3fd 100644
--- a/src/V3Common.cpp
+++ b/src/V3Common.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ static void makeToString(AstClass* nodep) {
     funcp->isStatic(false);
     funcp->protect(false);
     AstNode* const exprp
-        = new AstCMath{nodep->fileline(), R"(std::string("'{") + to_string_middle() + "}")", 0};
+        = new AstCMath{nodep->fileline(), R"(std::string{"'{"} + to_string_middle() + "}")", 0};
     exprp->dtypeSetString();
     funcp->addStmtsp(new AstCReturn{nodep->fileline(), exprp});
     nodep->addStmtp(funcp);
diff --git a/src/V3EmitCFunc.cpp b/src/V3EmitCFunc.cpp
index 8f97b1139..3bda90bb6 100644
--- a/src/V3EmitCFunc.cpp
+++ b/src/V3EmitCFunc.cpp
@@ -455,9 +455,9 @@ void EmitCFunc::emitDereference(const string& pointer) {
 
 void EmitCFunc::emitCvtPackStr(AstNode* nodep) {
     if (const AstConst* const constp = VN_CAST(nodep, Const)) {
-        putbs("std::string(");
+        putbs("std::string{");
         putsQuoted(constp->num().toString());
-        puts(")");
+        puts("}");
     } else {
         putbs("VL_CVT_PACK_STR_N");
         emitIQW(nodep);
@@ -486,9 +486,9 @@ void EmitCFunc::emitConstant(AstConst* nodep, AstVarRef* assigntop, const string
     if (nodep->num().isFourState()) {
         nodep->v3warn(E_UNSUPPORTED, "Unsupported: 4-state numbers in this context");
     } else if (nodep->num().isString()) {
-        putbs("std::string(");
+        putbs("std::string{");
         putsQuoted(nodep->num().toString());
-        puts(")");
+        puts("}");
     } else if (nodep->isWide()) {
         int upWidth = nodep->num().widthMin();
         int chunks = 0;
diff --git a/src/V3EmitCImp.cpp b/src/V3EmitCImp.cpp
index c6985dd30..9bea7b2c0 100644
--- a/src/V3EmitCImp.cpp
+++ b/src/V3EmitCImp.cpp
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ class EmitCImp final : EmitCFunc {
             puts("  \"lineno\",lineno,");
             puts("  \"column\",column,\n");
             // Need to move hier into scopes and back out if do this
-            // puts( "\"hier\",std::string(vlSymsp->name())+hierp,");
-            puts("\"hier\",std::string(name())+hierp,");
+            // puts( "\"hier\",std::string{vlSymsp->name()} + hierp,");
+            puts("\"hier\",std::string{name()} + hierp,");
             puts("  \"page\",pagep,");
             puts("  \"comment\",commentp,");
             puts("  (linescovp[0] ? \"linescov\" : \"\"), linescovp);\n");
diff --git a/src/V3EmitV.cpp b/src/V3EmitV.cpp
index 77c58d9af..1bd2c3a47 100644
--- a/src/V3EmitV.cpp
+++ b/src/V3EmitV.cpp
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class EmitVBaseVisitor VL_NOT_FINAL : public EmitCBaseVisitor {
         putqs(nodep, "end\n");
     }
     virtual void visit(AstComment* nodep) override {
-        puts(string("// ") + nodep->name() + "\n");
+        puts(std::string{"// "} + nodep->name() + "\n");
         iterateChildrenConst(nodep);
     }
     virtual void visit(AstContinue*) override {
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ class EmitVBaseVisitor VL_NOT_FINAL : public EmitCBaseVisitor {
     virtual void visit(AstCell*) override {}  // Handled outside the Visit class
     // Default
     virtual void visit(AstNode* nodep) override {
-        puts(string("\n???? // ") + nodep->prettyTypeName() + "\n");
+        puts(std::string{"\n???? // "} + nodep->prettyTypeName() + "\n");
         iterateChildrenConst(nodep);
         // Not v3fatalSrc so we keep processing
         if (!m_suppressUnknown) {
diff --git a/src/V3FileLine.cpp b/src/V3FileLine.cpp
index 2e5a5fbef..6b7b2e58b 100644
--- a/src/V3FileLine.cpp
+++ b/src/V3FileLine.cpp
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ string FileLine::xmlDetailedLocation() const {
 }
 
 string FileLine::lineDirectiveStrg(int enterExit) const {
-    return std::string("`line ") + cvtToStr(lastLineno()) + " \"" + filename() + "\" "
+    return std::string{"`line "} + cvtToStr(lastLineno()) + " \"" + filename() + "\" "
            + cvtToStr(enterExit) + "\n";
 }
 
diff --git a/src/V3LinkDot.cpp b/src/V3LinkDot.cpp
index f5dc1b59e..f6961692e 100644
--- a/src/V3LinkDot.cpp
+++ b/src/V3LinkDot.cpp
@@ -1006,7 +1006,8 @@ class LinkDotFindVisitor final : public VNVisitor {
                 m_classOrPackagep = VN_AS(m_curSymp->nodep(), Class);
             }
             // Create symbol table for the task's vars
-            const string name = string{nodep->isExternProto() ? "extern " : ""} + nodep->name();
+            const string name
+                = std::string{nodep->isExternProto() ? "extern " : ""} + nodep->name();
             m_curSymp = m_statep->insertBlock(m_curSymp, name, nodep, m_classOrPackagep);
             m_curSymp->fallbackp(upSymp);
             // Convert the func's range to the output variable
diff --git a/src/V3OptionParser.cpp b/src/V3OptionParser.cpp
index f9d5c721d..308a26e10 100644
--- a/src/V3OptionParser.cpp
+++ b/src/V3OptionParser.cpp
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ V3OptionParser::ActionIfs* V3OptionParser::find(const char* optp) {
         if (act.second->isOnOffAllowed()) {  // Find starts with "-no"
             if (const char* const nop
                 = VString::startsWith(optp, "-no") ? (optp + strlen("-no")) : nullptr) {
-                if (act.first == nop || act.first == (string{"-"} + nop)) {
+                if (act.first == nop || act.first == (std::string{"-"} + nop)) {
                     return act.second.get();
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/V3Options.cpp b/src/V3Options.cpp
index f780cf106..d88f6df3c 100644
--- a/src/V3Options.cpp
+++ b/src/V3Options.cpp
@@ -1436,7 +1436,7 @@ void V3Options::parseOptsList(FileLine* fl, const string& optdir, int argc, char
     });
     DECL_OPTION("-Wno-", CbPartialMatch, [fl, &parser](const char* optp) {
         if (!FileLine::globalWarnOff(optp, true)) {
-            const string fullopt = string{"-Wno-"} + optp;
+            const string fullopt = std::string{"-Wno-"} + optp;
             fl->v3fatal("Unknown warning specified: " << fullopt
                                                       << parser.getSuggestion(fullopt.c_str()));
         }
@@ -1456,7 +1456,7 @@ void V3Options::parseOptsList(FileLine* fl, const string& optdir, int argc, char
         const V3ErrorCode code{optp};
         if (code == V3ErrorCode::EC_ERROR) {
             if (!isFuture(optp)) {
-                const string fullopt = string{"-Wwarn-"} + optp;
+                const string fullopt = std::string{"-Wwarn-"} + optp;
                 fl->v3fatal("Unknown warning specified: "
                             << fullopt << parser.getSuggestion(fullopt.c_str()));
             }
diff --git a/src/V3Param.cpp b/src/V3Param.cpp
index 8c1595194..73e306f69 100644
--- a/src/V3Param.cpp
+++ b/src/V3Param.cpp
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ class ParamVisitor final : public VNVisitor {
     // A generic visitor for cells and class refs
     void visitCellOrClassRef(AstNode* nodep, bool isIface) {
         // Must do ifaces first, so push to list and do in proper order
-        string* const genHierNamep = new string{m_generateHierName};
+        string* const genHierNamep = new std::string{m_generateHierName};
         nodep->user5p(genHierNamep);
         // Visit parameters in the instantiation.
         iterateChildren(nodep);
diff --git a/src/V3PreLex.l b/src/V3PreLex.l
index c53a675eb..bfe69e7c7 100644
--- a/src/V3PreLex.l
+++ b/src/V3PreLex.l
@@ -618,7 +618,7 @@ void V3PreLex::scanNewFile(FileLine* filelinep) {
 
 void V3PreLex::scanBytes(const string& str) {
     // Note buffers also appended in ::scanBytesBack
-    // Not "m_buffers.push_front(string{strp,len})" as we need a `define
+    // Not "m_buffers.push_front(std::string{strp,len})" as we need a `define
     // to take effect immediately, in the middle of the current buffer
     // Also we don't use scan_bytes that would set yy_fill_buffer
     // which would force Flex to bypass our YY_INPUT routine.
diff --git a/src/V3PreProc.cpp b/src/V3PreProc.cpp
index 33fffc337..dba2e5a39 100644
--- a/src/V3PreProc.cpp
+++ b/src/V3PreProc.cpp
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ FileLine* V3PreProcImp::defFileline(const string& name) {
 void V3PreProcImp::define(FileLine* fl, const string& name, const string& value,
                           const string& params, bool cmdline) {
     UINFO(4, "DEFINE '" << name << "' as '" << value << "' params '" << params << "'" << endl);
-    if (!V3LanguageWords::isKeyword(string("`") + name).empty()) {
+    if (!V3LanguageWords::isKeyword(std::string{"`"} + name).empty()) {
         fl->v3error("Attempting to define built-in directive: '`" << name
                                                                   << "' (IEEE 1800-2017 22.5.1)");
     } else {
@@ -886,7 +886,7 @@ void V3PreProcImp::dumpDefines(std::ostream& os) {
 
 void V3PreProcImp::candidateDefines(VSpellCheck* spellerp) {
     for (DefinesMap::const_iterator it = m_defines.begin(); it != m_defines.end(); ++it) {
-        spellerp->pushCandidate(string("`") + it->first);
+        spellerp->pushCandidate(std::string{"`"} + it->first);
     }
 }
 
@@ -1106,7 +1106,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 // IE, `ifdef `MACRO(x): Substitute and come back here when state pops.
                 break;
             } else {
-                error(string("Expecting define name. Found: ") + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
+                error(std::string{"Expecting define name. Found: "} + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
                 goto next_tok;
             }
         }
@@ -1127,7 +1127,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                     goto next_tok;
                 }
             } else {
-                error(string("Expecting define formal arguments. Found: ") + tokenName(tok)
+                error(std::string{"Expecting define formal arguments. Found: "} + tokenName(tok)
                       + "\n");
                 goto next_tok;
             }
@@ -1164,7 +1164,8 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                     define(fileline(), m_lastSym, value, formals, false);
                 }
             } else {
-                const string msg = string("Bad define text, unexpected ") + tokenName(tok) + "\n";
+                const string msg
+                    = std::string{"Bad define text, unexpected "} + tokenName(tok) + "\n";
                 fatalSrc(msg);
             }
             statePop();
@@ -1182,7 +1183,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                     fatalSrc("Shouldn't be in DEFPAREN w/o active defref");
                 }
                 const VDefineRef* const refp = &(m_defRefs.top());
-                error(string("Expecting ( to begin argument list for define reference `")
+                error(std::string{"Expecting ( to begin argument list for define reference `"}
                       + refp->name() + "\n");
                 statePop();
                 goto next_tok;
@@ -1259,7 +1260,8 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 statePush(ps_STRIFY);
                 goto next_tok;
             } else {
-                error(string("Expecting ) or , to end argument list for define reference. Found: ")
+                error(std::string{
+                          "Expecting ) or , to end argument list for define reference. Found: "}
                       + tokenName(tok));
                 statePop();
                 goto next_tok;
@@ -1285,7 +1287,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 break;
             } else {
                 statePop();
-                error(string("Expecting include filename. Found: ") + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
+                error(std::string{"Expecting include filename. Found: "} + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
                 goto next_tok;
             }
         }
@@ -1298,7 +1300,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 statePop();
                 goto next_tok;
             } else {
-                error(string("Expecting `error string. Found: ") + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
+                error(std::string{"Expecting `error string. Found: "} + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
                 statePop();
                 goto next_tok;
             }
@@ -1343,7 +1345,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 // multiline "..." without \ escapes.
                 // The spec is silent about this either way; simulators vary
                 std::replace(out.begin(), out.end(), '\n', ' ');
-                unputString(string("\"") + out + "\"");
+                unputString(std::string{"\""} + out + "\"");
                 statePop();
                 goto next_tok;
             } else if (tok == VP_EOF) {
@@ -1427,7 +1429,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
                 } else {
                     // We want final text of `name, but that would cause
                     // recursion, so use a special character to get it through
-                    unputDefrefString(string("`\032") + name);
+                    unputDefrefString(std::string{"`\032"} + name);
                     goto next_tok;
                 }
             } else {
@@ -1517,7 +1519,7 @@ int V3PreProcImp::getStateToken() {
         case VP_DEFFORM:  // Handled by state=ps_DEFFORM;
         case VP_DEFVALUE:  // Handled by state=ps_DEFVALUE;
         default:  // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
-            fatalSrc(string("Internal error: Unexpected token ") + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
+            fatalSrc(std::string{"Internal error: Unexpected token "} + tokenName(tok) + "\n");
             break;  // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
         }
         return tok;
diff --git a/src/V3ProtectLib.cpp b/src/V3ProtectLib.cpp
index 1c7631e8a..864513fc8 100644
--- a/src/V3ProtectLib.cpp
+++ b/src/V3ProtectLib.cpp
@@ -149,16 +149,17 @@ private:
         // Timescale
         if (v3Global.opt.hierChild() && v3Global.rootp()->timescaleSpecified()) {
             // Emit timescale for hierarhical verilation if input HDL specifies timespec
-            txtp->addText(fl, string("timeunit ") + modp->timeunit().ascii() + ";\n");
-            txtp->addText(fl, string("timeprecision ") + +v3Global.rootp()->timeprecision().ascii()
-                                  + ";\n");
+            txtp->addText(fl, std::string{"timeunit "} + modp->timeunit().ascii() + ";\n");
+            txtp->addText(fl, std::string{"timeprecision "}
+                                  + +v3Global.rootp()->timeprecision().ascii() + ";\n");
         } else {
             addComment(txtp, fl,
                        "Precision of submodule"
                        " (commented out to avoid requiring timescale on all modules)");
-            addComment(txtp, fl, string("timeunit ") + v3Global.rootp()->timeunit().ascii() + ";");
             addComment(txtp, fl,
-                       string("timeprecision ") + v3Global.rootp()->timeprecision().ascii()
+                       std::string{"timeunit "} + v3Global.rootp()->timeunit().ascii() + ";");
+            addComment(txtp, fl,
+                       std::string{"timeprecision "} + v3Global.rootp()->timeprecision().ascii()
                            + ";\n");
         }
 
diff --git a/src/V3String.h b/src/V3String.h
index 0da8bdfc7..1fbcecaf7 100644
--- a/src/V3String.h
+++ b/src/V3String.h
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ public:
         if (candidate.empty()) {
             return "";
         } else {
-            return string("... Suggested alternative: '") + candidate + "'";
+            return std::string{"... Suggested alternative: '"} + candidate + "'";
         }
     }
     static void selfTest();
diff --git a/src/V3TraceDecl.cpp b/src/V3TraceDecl.cpp
index 3f9c1ae6a..6fc9a8726 100644
--- a/src/V3TraceDecl.cpp
+++ b/src/V3TraceDecl.cpp
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ private:
                 addToSubFunc(new AstTracePushNamePrefix{flp, m_traName});
                 for (int i = nodep->lo(); i <= nodep->hi(); ++i) {
                     VL_RESTORER(m_traValuep);
-                    m_traName = string{"["} + cvtToStr(i) + string{"]"};
+                    m_traName = std::string{"["} + cvtToStr(i) + std::string{"]"};
                     m_traValuep = m_traValuep->cloneTree(false);
                     m_traValuep = new AstArraySel{flp, m_traValuep, i - nodep->lo()};
                     m_traValuep->dtypep(subtypep);
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ private:
                 addToSubFunc(new AstTracePushNamePrefix{flp, m_traName});
                 for (int i = nodep->lo(); i <= nodep->hi(); ++i) {
                     VL_RESTORER(m_traValuep);
-                    m_traName = string{"["} + cvtToStr(i) + string{"]"};
+                    m_traName = std::string{"["} + cvtToStr(i) + std::string{"]"};
                     const int lsb = (i - nodep->lo()) * subtypep->width();
                     m_traValuep = m_traValuep->cloneTree(false);
                     m_traValuep = new AstSel{flp, m_traValuep, lsb, subtypep->width()};
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_dpi_var.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_dpi_var.cpp
index 855e022b7..f35647d41 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_dpi_var.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_dpi_var.cpp
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ void mon_class_name(const char* namep) {
 #endif
     // Check the C's calling name of "" doesn't lead to extra dots in the name()
     if (namep && namep[0] == '.')
-        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string("Unexp class name ") + namep).c_str());
+        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string{"Unexp class name "} + namep).c_str());
 }
 
 extern "C" void mon_scope_name(const char* namep);
@@ -61,9 +61,9 @@ void mon_scope_name(const char* namep) {
     VL_PRINTF("-     mon_scope_name('%s', \"%s\");\n", modp, namep);
 #endif
     if (strcmp(namep, "t.sub"))
-        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string("Unexp scope name ") + namep).c_str());
+        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string{"Unexp scope name "} + namep).c_str());
     if (strcmp(modp, "t.sub"))
-        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string("Unexp dpiscope name ") + modp).c_str());
+        vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "", (std::string{"Unexp dpiscope name "} + modp).c_str());
 }
 
 extern "C" void mon_register_b(const char* namep, int isOut);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_embed1_c.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_embed1_c.cpp
index 0e6e075cb..ed536c524 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_embed1_c.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_embed1_c.cpp
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ Vt_embed1_child* __get_modelp() {
         // Create the model
         const char* scopenamep = svGetNameFromScope(scope);
         if (!scopenamep) vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, __FILE__, "svGetNameFromScope failed");
-        __modelp = new Vt_embed1_child(scopenamep);
+        __modelp = new Vt_embed1_child{scopenamep};
         if (svPutUserData(scope, &T_Embed_Child_Unique, __modelp)) {
             vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, __FILE__, "svPutUserData failed");
         }
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io2.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io2.cpp
index 507ac12b0..14e71c1a4 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io2.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io2.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ int main()
 #endif
 {
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
 #ifdef SYSTEMC_VERSION
     sc_signal<uint32_t> i3;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io3.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io3.cpp
index 9db98b288..8f2b519d9 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io3.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_mem_multi_io3.cpp
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ int main()
 #endif
 {
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     tb->final();
     VL_DO_DANGLING(delete tb, tb);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_multitop_sig.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_multitop_sig.cpp
index 91115cc41..0ce924bf8 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_multitop_sig.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_multitop_sig.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ double sc_time_stamp() { return 0; }
 int errors = 0;
 
 int main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
-    Vt_multitop_sig* topp = new Vt_multitop_sig("");
+    Vt_multitop_sig* topp = new Vt_multitop_sig{""};
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_sc_names.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_sc_names.cpp
index ba71d8c14..6839252b0 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_sc_names.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_sc_names.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 VM_PREFIX* tb = nullptr;
 
 int sc_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
     std::vector<sc_object*> ch = tb->get_child_objects();
     bool found = false;
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_timescale_parse.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_timescale_parse.cpp
index c1464fe97..128a1b2e8 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_timescale_parse.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_timescale_parse.cpp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ double sc_time_stamp() {
 }
 
 int main() {
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     tb->eval();
     tb->eval();
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_trace_public_sig.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_trace_public_sig.cpp
index 8cf387097..04d5be921 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_trace_public_sig.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_trace_public_sig.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ double sc_time_stamp() { return (double)main_time; }
 const unsigned long long dt_2 = 3;
 
 int main(int argc, char** argv, char** env) {
-    VM_PREFIX* top = new VM_PREFIX("top");
+    VM_PREFIX* top = new VM_PREFIX{"top"};
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
     Verilated::traceEverOn(true);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_trace_two_sc.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_trace_two_sc.cpp
index 232b932a6..118a2d0a1 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_trace_two_sc.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_trace_two_sc.cpp
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ int sc_main(int argc, char** argv) {
     Verilated::traceEverOn(true);
     Verilated::debug(0);
     srand48(5);
-    ap = new VM_PREFIX("topa");
-    bp = new Vt_trace_two_b("topb");
+    ap = new VM_PREFIX{"topa"};
+    bp = new Vt_trace_two_b{"topb"};
     ap->clk(clk);
     bp->clk(clk);
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_tri_gate.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_tri_gate.cpp
index 66159175b..3981e94b7 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_tri_gate.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_tri_gate.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ int main() {
     bool pass = true;
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     // loop through every possibility and check the result
     for (tb->SEL = 0; tb->SEL < 2; tb->SEL++) {
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_tri_inout.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_tri_inout.cpp
index 874c5f15b..8ce60aa11 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_tri_inout.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_tri_inout.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ int main() {
     bool pass = true;
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new Vt_tri_inout("tb");
+    tb = new Vt_tri_inout{"tb"};
 
     // loop through every possibility and check the result
     for (tb->SEL = 0; tb->SEL < 2; tb->SEL++) {
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_tri_inz.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_tri_inz.cpp
index fb0934859..eccd5eaac 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_tri_inz.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_tri_inz.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ void check(int d, int en, int exp0, int exp1, int expx, int expz) {
 
 int main() {
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new Vt_tri_inz("tb");
+    tb = new Vt_tri_inz{"tb"};
     check(0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0);
     check(1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0);
     check(0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_tri_pullup.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_tri_pullup.cpp
index 12cbf9a1c..29aa72a9e 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_tri_pullup.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_tri_pullup.cpp
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ int main() {
     bool pass = true;
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new Vt_tri_pullup("tb");
+    tb = new Vt_tri_pullup{"tb"};
 
     // loop through every possibility and check the result
     for (tb->OE = 0; tb->OE < 2; tb->OE++) {
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_tri_select.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_tri_select.cpp
index 0db6f19ef..a4c6ee54a 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_tri_select.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_tri_select.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ int main() {
     bool pass = true;
 
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new Vt_tri_select("tb");
+    tb = new Vt_tri_select{"tb"};
 
     // loop through every possibility and check the result
     for (tb->OE1 = 0; tb->OE1 < 2; tb->OE1++) {
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_var_overwidth_bad.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_var_overwidth_bad.cpp
index d82237617..586314a73 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_var_overwidth_bad.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_var_overwidth_bad.cpp
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ double sc_time_stamp() { return main_time; }
 int main(int argc, char** argv, char** env) {
     Verilated::debug(0);
 
-    VM_PREFIX* topp = new VM_PREFIX("");  // Note null name - we're flattening it out
+    VM_PREFIX* topp = new VM_PREFIX{""};  // Note null name - we're flattening it out
 
     main_time = 0;
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_var_pinsizes.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_var_pinsizes.cpp
index 5dc53e9e2..b898aa792 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_var_pinsizes.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_var_pinsizes.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ VM_PREFIX* tb = nullptr;
 
 int main() {
     Verilated::debug(0);
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     VL_PRINTF("*-* All Finished *-*\n");
     tb->final();
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ int main() {
 }
 
 int sc_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     VL_PRINTF("*-* All Finished *-*\n");
     tb->final();
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_memory.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_memory.cpp
index 05a34a68d..64122cc24 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_memory.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_memory.cpp
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ void _mem_check(const char* name, int size, int left, int right, int words) {
         value.format = vpiBinStrVal;
         vpi_get_value(mem_h, &value);
         TEST_CHECK_Z(vpi_chk_error(&e));
-        TEST_CHECK_EQ(std::string(value.value.str), binStr);
+        TEST_CHECK_EQ(std::string{value.value.str}, binStr);
     }
 
     // don't care for non verilator
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_param.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_param.cpp
index 78f1deeed..51415a38b 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_param.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_param.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ int check_param_int(std::string name, PLI_INT32 format, int exp_value, bool verb
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiName, param_h);
     CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, name.c_str());
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiFullName, param_h);
-    CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, std::string("t." + name).c_str());
+    CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, std::string{"t." + name}.c_str());
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiType, param_h);
     CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, "vpiParameter");
     vpi_type = vpi_get(vpiLocalParam, param_h);
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ int check_param_str(std::string name, PLI_INT32 format, std::string exp_value, b
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiName, param_h);
     CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, name.c_str());
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiFullName, param_h);
-    CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, std::string("t." + name).c_str());
+    CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, std::string{"t." + name}.c_str());
     p = vpi_get_str(vpiType, param_h);
     CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(p, "vpiParameter");
     vpi_type = vpi_get(vpiLocalParam, param_h);
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_sc.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_sc.cpp
index 85c7b9078..759d6075b 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_sc.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_sc.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 VM_PREFIX* tb = nullptr;
 
 int sc_main(int argc, char* argv[]) {
-    tb = new VM_PREFIX("tb");
+    tb = new VM_PREFIX{"tb"};
 
     VL_PRINTF("*-* All Finished *-*\n");
     tb->final();
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_var.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_var.cpp
index 5666bb3fd..b8186c281 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_var.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_var.cpp
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@ int _mon_check_putget_str(p_cb_data cb_data) {
                     CHECK_RESULT_CSTR(v.value.str, data[i].str.c_str());
                 } else {
                     data[i].type = v.format;
-                    data[i].str = std::string(v.value.str);
+                    data[i].str = std::string{v.value.str};
                 }
             }
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_zero_time_cb.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_zero_time_cb.cpp
index 56eea28ab..cd35de936 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_vpi_zero_time_cb.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_vpi_zero_time_cb.cpp
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv, char** env) {
         void* lib = dlopen(filenamep, RTLD_LAZY);
         void* bootstrap = dlsym(lib, "vpi_compat_bootstrap");
         if (!bootstrap) {
-            const std::string msg = std::string("%Error: Could not dlopen ") + filenamep;
+            const std::string msg = std::string{"%Error: Could not dlopen "} + filenamep;
             vl_fatal(__FILE__, __LINE__, "main", msg.c_str());
         }
         ((void (*)(void))bootstrap)();
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_context.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_context.cpp
index b802e6787..c712cd603 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_context.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_context.cpp
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ void sim(VM_PREFIX* topp) {
     }
 
     std::string filename
-        = std::string(VL_STRINGIFY(TEST_OBJ_DIR) "/coverage_") + topp->name() + ".dat";
+        = std::string{VL_STRINGIFY(TEST_OBJ_DIR) "/coverage_"} + topp->name() + ".dat";
     contextp->coveragep()->write(filename.c_str());
 }
 
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_legacy.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_legacy.cpp
index 860e1a442..a2a5ac518 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_legacy.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_wrapper_legacy.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv, char** env) {
     TEST_CHECK_EQ(sizeof(vlsint32_t), 4);  // Intentional use of old typedef
     TEST_CHECK_EQ(sizeof(vlsint64_t), 8);  // Intentional use of old typedef
 
-    VM_PREFIX* topp = new VM_PREFIX();
+    VM_PREFIX* topp = new VM_PREFIX{};
 
     topp->eval();
     topp->clk = 0;
diff --git a/test_regress/t/t_x_assign.cpp b/test_regress/t/t_x_assign.cpp
index 85aa51797..8d85b72bf 100644
--- a/test_regress/t/t_x_assign.cpp
+++ b/test_regress/t/t_x_assign.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ double sc_time_stamp() { return 0; }
 // clang-format on
 
 int main(int argc, const char** argv) {
-    VM_PREFIX* top = new VM_PREFIX();
+    VM_PREFIX* top = new VM_PREFIX{};
 
 #if defined(T_X_ASSIGN_UNIQUE_0)
     Verilated::randReset(0);