agravarse

Agravarse is a Spanish pronominal verb that means to become worse or more serious, or to suffer an intensification of a condition, situation, or symptom. It is used both in medical contexts (for example, symptoms or diseases worsening) and in more general or figurative contexts (for example, a crisis or conflict worsening).

Conjugation and usage notes: as a regular -ar verb with reflexive pronoun, it forms like me agravo, te agravas, se agrava, nos agravamos, os agraváis, se agravan. The past participle is agravado, used in perfect tenses (la situación se ha agravado). The verb emphasizes an ongoing deterioration or escalation of severity, rather than a simple change of state.

Nuances and related terms: agravarse is often contrasted with empeorar, another common verb meaning “to worsen.” Empeorar is broader and less focused on the sense of progression or added gravity, whereas agravar se subraya that the condition or situation becomes more grave or serious. Nouns related to the concept include el agravamiento (the worsening) and, in legal or formal contexts, agravante (an aggravating factor).

Etymology and related forms: agravar and agravar(se) derive from Latin gravāre, from gravis meaning heavy or weighty. Related terms include agravamiento, agravación and agravante, which convey the idea of increased severity or heaviness.

Examples: "El dolor se ha agravado en las últimas horas." "La situación económica se agrava ante la nueva crisis." "El médico dijo que la fiebre podría agravarse si no se trata."