verschlimmern

/fɛɐ̯ˈʃlɪmɐn/

verb C1

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: verschlimmert
past: verschlimmerte
perfect: hat verschlimmert

Meaning

to worsen
- Der Regen verschlimmerte die Lage.
  
  The rain made the situation worse.
- Der Husten verschlimmerte sich in der Nacht. Am Morgen ging er zum Arzt.
  
  The cough worsened during the night. In the morning he went to the doctor.

Similar words

verschlechtern

verschlechtern and verschlimmern are close synonyms for "to worsen"; verschlimmern is slightly more intense, worsening an already bad situation further.

Similar in other languages

French

empirer

empirer is the French word for the same thing — both mean "to worsen."

Portuguese

agravar

agravar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to worsen."

Practice

1 What does verschlimmern mean?

2 Fill the gap: Der Regen ___ die Lage.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches verschlimmern?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-24