shorten vs modify

shorten and modify both are verbs.

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

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

Other hypernyms of shorten include alter, change.

shorten (verb)	modify (verb)
become short or shorter	make less severe or harsh or extreme
make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration	add a modifier to a constituent
reduce in scope while retaining essential elements	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
make short or shorter