assimilate vs modify

assimilate and modify both are verbs.

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

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

Other hypernyms of assimilate include alter, change.

assimilate (verb)	modify (verb)
become similar to one's environment	make less severe or harsh or extreme
make similar	add a modifier to a constituent
become similar in sound	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
take up mentally
take (gas, light or heat) into a solution