verschlimmert

Verschlimmert is the past participle of the German verb verschlimmern, which means to worsen or exacerbate. In standard usage, verschlimmert describes something that has become worse. It can function as part of a compound verb form in the perfect tense with reflexive or non-reflexive constructions, and it can also appear as an adjective describing a worsened state.

Etymology and grammar

The form combines the prefix ver- with schlimmer, the comparative form of schlimm (bad). The verb verschlimmern implies causing something to deteriorate or to aggravate a situation. The past participle verschlimmert is used with auxiliary verbs such as haben or with sich in reflexive constructions, as in Die Situation hat sich verschlimmert (The situation has worsened) or Die Lage hat sich verschlimmert. As an adjective, verschlimmert can describe a worsened condition, for example eine verschlimmerte Lage or eine verschlimmerte Erkrankung, though die Verschlimmerung (noun) is more common for the process itself.

Usage

Verschlimmert is predominantly used in German-language texts. It often appears in news reporting, medical or political commentary, and discussions about trends or conditions that have deteriorated. The related noun Verschlimmerung refers to the process or outcome of worsening (for example, “eine Verschlimmerung der Symptome”). In contrast, schlimmer functions as the common comparative adjective (“worse”), while verschlimmern carries the nuance of bringing about deterioration rather than merely existing in a worse state.

See also

Verschlimmerung (n.) and verschlimmern (v.), sich verschlimmern (reflexive form indicating the state becoming worse).