tödlicher

Tödlicher is the comparative form of the German adjective tödlich, meaning more deadly or deadlier. It is used to compare the lethality of two or more things or situations, indicating that one is more capable of causing death than another.

Etymology and form: The word derives from Tod (death) combined with the suffix -lich, which yields the base adjective tödlich. The comparative ending -er is added to form tödlicher in contexts where a masculine singular noun is described or where a plain comparative is required, and the ending changes with gender, number, and case in attributive position (for example, tödlicher Schlag for a masculine noun, tödlichere Waffe for a feminine noun).

Usage: Tödlicher is primarily used in comparative constructions such as Der zweite Unfall war tödlicher als der erste (The second accident was deadlier than the first). In attributive use, the form of the adjective follows standard German inflection rules: ein tödlicher Schlag (a deadly blow, masculine singular), eine tödliche Gefahr (a deadly danger, feminine singular), ein tödliches Gift (a deadly poison, neuter singular). In many contexts, tödlich is used without comparison to describe something inherently lethal (e.g., tödliches Gift).

See also: tödlich, Tod, Todesschaden. Notes: While tödlich is the base form meaning deadly or fatal, tödlicher specifically marks a higher degree of lethality through comparison.