försämra

Försämra is a Swedish verb meaning to make something worse or to deteriorate. It is transitive and describes a decline in quality, health, conditions, or situations. Common targets include health (försämra hälsan), finances or the economy (försämra ekonomin), and general conditions (försämra läget). The corresponding intransitive form försämras is used when the subject itself deteriorates or worsens, often without a direct agent.

Origin and related terms: The verb is formed with the prefix för- added to sämra, which means to worsen. The noun form for deterioration is försämring, as in försämring av hälsan. A related verb with a stronger sense of aggravating something is förvärra. The opposite verb is förbättra, meaning to improve. The adjective form sämre means “worse,” while the comparative construction is often expressed with phrases like mycket sämre.

Usage notes and examples: In neutral descriptive contexts, försämra describes a negative change that can be temporary or ongoing. Examples: Rökning försämrar hälsan. Ekonomin har försämrats under året. Konflikten har försämrat relationerna mellan parterna. The word can also appear in discussions of policy, medicine, or social situations to indicate a deterioration or worsening of a condition or prognosis.