steepen vs modify

steepen and modify both are verbs.

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

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

Other hypernyms of steepen include alter, change.

steepen (verb)	modify (verb)
make steeper	make less severe or harsh or extreme
become steeper	add a modifier to a constituent
	cause to change; make different; cause a transformation