de-emphasize vs modify

de-emphasize and modify both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
de-emphasize	No	No	Yes	No
modify	No	No	Yes	No

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

Other hypernyms of de-emphasize include alter, change.

de-emphasize (verb)	modify (verb)
reduce the emphasis	make less severe or harsh or extreme
	add a modifier to a constituent
	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation