adjectiveother
verschärft
tighten · strict
strenger, härter oder ernster gemacht
The German word "verschärft" is the past participle of the verb "verschärfen", meaning "to aggravate", "to intensify", or "to escalate".
- It is made up of the prefix "ver-" and the root "schärfen" (from "scharf" meaning "sharp").
- "Schärfen" means "to sharpen" in a literal sense; with the prefix it implies making a situation sharper, i.e., more severe or intense.
Similar words:
- "intensivieren" (to intensify)
- "verschlimmern" (to worsen)
- "verschlechtern" (to deteriorate)
Difference:
- "Verschärfen" often implies making rules, conflicts, or situations stricter or more severe, sometimes deliberately.
- "Verschlimmern" and "verschlechtern" focus more generally on a worsening condition, without the nuance of increased strictness or severity as in "verschärfen".
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Examples
Die Regierung hat die Kontrollen deutlich verschärft.adjective
The government has significantly tightened the controls.
Die verschärften Regeln gelten ab morgen.adjective
The stricter rules take effect tomorrow.
Wegen des Sturms wurden verschärfte Sicherheitsmaßnahmen getroffen.adjective
Due to the storm, stricter security measures were taken.
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