1.  modify(v = verb.change) - make less severe or harsh or extreme; "please modify this letter to make it more polite"; "he modified his views on same-gender marriage"
is one way to change
Derived forms adjective modifiable₁, noun modification₁, noun modification₂, noun modification₄, noun modifier₃
Sample sentences: Something ----s; Somebody ----s; Somebody ----s something; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

2.  modify(v = verb.change) qualify - add a modifier to a constituent;
is one way to add
Derived forms noun modification₃, noun modifier₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something; Somebody ----s something with something

3.  modify(v = verb.change) alter, change - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"
Derived forms adjective modifiable₁, noun modification₁
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

1.  To change somewhat the form or qualities of; to change a part of something while leaving most parts unchanged; to alter somewhat; as, to modify a contrivance adapted to some mechanical purpose; to modify the terms of a contract. [1913 Webster]

2.  To limit or reduce in extent or degree; to moderate; to qualify; to lower. [1913 Webster]
"Of his grace
He modifies his first severe decree." [1913 Webster]

modify, v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
1 make less severe or extreme; tone down (modify one's demands).
2 make partial changes in; make different.
3 Gram. qualify or expand the sense of (a word etc.).
4 Phonet. change (a vowel) by umlaut.
5 Chem. change or replace all the substituent radicals of a polymer, thereby changing its physical properties such as solubility etc. (modified starch).

Derivative:
modifiable adj. modificatory adj.

Etymology:
ME f. OF modifier f. L modificare (as MODE)

VB  be different, differ, vary, ablude, mismatch, contrast, divaricate, differ toto coelo, differ longo intervallo, vary, modify, discriminate.

VB  change, alter, vary, wax and wane, modulate, diversify, qualify, tamper with, turn, shift, veer, tack, chop, shuffle, swerve, warp, deviate, turn aside, evert, intervert, pass to, take a turn, turn the corner, resume, work a change, modify, vamp, superinduce, transform, transfigure, transmute, transmogrify, transume, metamorphose, ring the changes, innovate, introduce new blood, shuffle the cards, give a turn to, give a color to, influence, turn the scale, shift the scene, turn over a new leaf, recast, reverse, disturb, convert into.

VB  qualify, limit, modify, leaven, give a color to, introduce new conditions, narrow, temper, waffle, quibble, hem and haw (be uncertain), equivocate (sophistry), depend, depend on, be contingent on (effect), allow for, make allowance for, admit exceptions, take into account, modulate, moderate, temper, season, leaven, take exception.