Exacerbamos

Exacerbamos is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Spanish verb exacerbar, meaning “we worsen” or “we intensify.” It is used when the speaker refers to actions that aggravate a situation, making it more severe, acute, or painful. As a regular -ar verb, its present indicative forms are: yo exacerbo, tú exacerbas, él/ella/Ud. exacerba, nosotros exacerbamos, vosotros exacerbáis, ellos/ellas/Uds. exacerban.

Etymology: Exacerbar derives from Latin exacerbare, formed from ex- meaning “out” and acerbus meaning “bitter” or “harsh,” transmitted into Spanish through the Romance languages. The sense has evolved to cover worsening in various domains, such as conditions, conflicts, or emotions.

Usage: The verb is common in political, social, medical, and everyday discourse when describing actions or events that increase negativity or intensity rather than relieve it. It is often paired with nouns like la crisis, el conflicto, la tensión, o el dolor. While similar to synonyms such as agravar and empeorar, exacerbar carries a stronger nuance of intensification or aggravation beyond mere deterioration.

Examples:

- Exacervamos la crisis si seguimos sin planificar. (If we keep going without a plan, we worsen the crisis.)

- Al negar la evidencia, exacerbamos el conflicto entre las partes. (By denying the evidence, we intensify the conflict between the parties.)

See also: exacerbar, exacerbación (the noun referring to the act or result of worsening, common in medical contexts).