01
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
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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 verbessern
to improve
'verbessern' and 'verschlimmern' are clear opposites. 'verbessern' means that something gets better or is made better. 'verschlimmern' means that something bad gets even worse or is made worse. Both words can be used with an object or reflexively with 'sich'. Typical situations include health, problems, work, or a general situation. Memory tip: 'verbessern' goes in a good direction; 'verschlimmern' goes in a bad one.
verschlimmern
Zu viel Stress hat seine Kopfschmerzen verschlimmert.
Too much stress worsened his headaches.
verbessern
Im Kurs verbessern wir unsere Aussprache durch kurze Übungen.
In the course, we improve our pronunciation through short exercises.
In real life
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