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
Comes from the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a change, often for the worse) + 'schlimm' (bad) + '-ern' (verb suffix). Literally 'to make worse'.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'ver-' intensifies the meaning, making something 'very schlimm' (very bad).