sober vs modify

sober is an adjective but modify is not an adjective.

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

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

Other hypernyms of sober include alter, change.

sober (adjective)	modify (adjective)
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
completely lacking in playfulness
lacking brightness or color; dull
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises

sober (verb)	modify (verb)
become sober after excessive alcohol consumption	make less severe or harsh or extreme
become more realistic	add a modifier to a constituent
cause to become sober	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation