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empirer

worsen, get worse

verb ahm-pee-REH Less Common

Usage Note

Empirer is an intransitive verb: la situation empire ('the situation is worsening'). It can also be used transitively meaning 'to make worse,' though the intransitive use is far more common in modern French. The adjective pire (worse) shares the same root.

Examples

"Son état de santé a empiré."

Natural Translation

His health condition worsened.

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