lighten vs modify

lighten and modify both are verbs.

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

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

Other hypernyms of lighten include alter, change.

lighten (verb)	modify (verb)
make more cheerful through the use of color	make less severe or harsh or extreme
become lighter	add a modifier to a constituent
alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
become more cheerful
reduce the weight on; make lighter
make more cheerful