verschlimmern
Translation
to worsen, to aggravate, to exacerbate
Examples
Rauchen verschlimmert den Husten.
Smoking worsens the cough.
Die Situation hat sich verschlimmert.
The situation has worsened.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) to worsen sth. Smoking worsens the cough.
sich verschlimmern to get worse The situation has worsened.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verschlechtern; Antonyms: verbessern, lindern
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a change, often for the worse) + 'schlimm' (bad) + '-ern' (verb suffix). Literally 'to make bad-er'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ver-' as making something 'very schlimm' (very bad).