activate vs modify

activate and modify both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
activate	No	No	Yes	No
modify	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, modify is a hypernym of activate; that is, modify is a word with a broader meaning than activate:

Other hypernyms of activate include alter, change.

As verbs, modify is a hypernym of activate; that is, modify is a word with a broader meaning than activate:

Other hypernyms of activate include alter, change.

As verbs, modify is a hypernym of activate; that is, modify is a word with a broader meaning than activate:

activate: aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter
modify: cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

Other hypernyms of activate include alter, change.

As verbs, modify is a hypernym of activate; that is, modify is a word with a broader meaning than activate:

Other hypernyms of activate include alter, change.

activate (verb)	modify (verb)
make active or more active	make less severe or harsh or extreme
make (substances) radioactive	add a modifier to a constituent
aerate (sewage) so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
make more adsorptive
put in motion or move to act