verschlimmern
to worsen
To make an already bad situation, condition, or problem even worse.
EXAMPLE
Durch das Kratzen hat er seine Hautentzündung nur noch verschlimmert.
By scratching, he only worsened his skin inflammation.
verschlimmern
to worsen
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Meanings
sich verschlimmern
to get worse
To become worse; to develop negatively.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der Medikamente hat sich sein Zustand über Nacht verschlimmert.
Despite the medication, his condition got worse overnight.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'schlimmer' (worse), the comparative of 'schlimm' (bad/serious). The inseparable prefix 'ver-' here expresses a change into a negative state, meaning 'to make worse.'
EXAMPLE
Jede falsche Bewegung könnte seine Verletzung verschlimmern.
Any wrong movement could worsen his injury.
Transitive vs. reflexive
There are two uses: 'etwas verschlimmern' (to worsen something) is transitive and means that someone or something makes a situation worse. 'Sich verschlimmern' (to get worse) is reflexive and means that a condition becomes worse on its own.
EXAMPLE
Sein Schweigen verschlimmerte die Situation nur.
His silence only worsened the situation.
Typical objects
When the verb is used transitively, typical objects are abstract nouns such as 'die Lage' (the situation), 'die Situation' (the situation), 'ein Problem' (a problem), 'einen Konflikt' (a conflict), or 'eine Krankheit' (an illness).
EXAMPLE
Mit seiner unüberlegten Aussage hat er den Konflikt nur noch verschlimmert.
With his thoughtless statement, he only worsened the conflict.
Typical subjects
In the reflexive use, typical subjects are things whose condition changes, for example 'das Wetter' (the weather), 'die Krankheit' (the illness), 'der Zustand' (the condition), or 'die Schmerzen' (the pain).
EXAMPLE
Ihre Kopfschmerzen haben sich über Nacht verschlimmert.
Her headaches got worse overnight.
Compare with
verschlimmern vs verstärken
to strengthen / reinforce / amplify
Both verbs can be used with pain, discomfort, or symptoms. Verstärken mainly emphasizes that something becomes more intense, while verschlimmern means making an already bad situation or condition even worse. Use verstärken for greater intensity and verschlimmern for the overall negative development.
verschlimmern
Das grelle Licht verschlimmerte meinen ohnehin schlechten Zustand.
The glaring light worsened my already poor condition.
verstärken
Das grelle Licht verstärkte meine Kopfschmerzen.
The glaring light intensified my headache.
In real life
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